Gwendolyn (Gwen) Alma Lee-Arch, 75 years old, resident of East Orange, New Jersey passed away August 29, in Livingston, New Jersey.

Gwen was born April 15, 1945 to John Lee and Rosetta Elizabeth Lee (nee Coleman) in East Orange, New Jersey. She was the widow of Donald Arch and the beloved sister of John Lee, Rosetta Lee, Harvey Lee, and the late Roberta Upchurch. She was the loving aunt of Robert Upchurch, Vickey Crespo, Lanette Lee, Steven Thompson, the late Marvin Lee, and the late Scheryl Greene. She leaves behind a host of other surviving relatives: three great nephews, Jenon Upchurch, Abdul Greene, and Steven Thompson Jr.; several great great and great great great nephews and nieces; two surviving aunts: Gloria Stephenson and Edna Mae Johnson; many cousins; and several dear and devoted friends.

Writing was one of Gwen’s greatest passions.  She spent hours crafting and perfecting each poem or essay that she wrote. One of her true joys in life was working with other dedicated writers as well as with aspiring youth writers. Her friend and mentor Clarence Ali shared these words: “Gwen was an accomplished performer, writer and poet. She was a champion for the rights of female artists and for the greater Newark artistic and cultural community in general. She later went on to create the TUI International Writer's Collective, hosted a weekly TV show, performed at poetry events and published volumes of poetry.”

Gwen’s written and spoken words of love, family dedication, and Christian inspiration will be missed by all of us who walked in her light. May she now rest in peace in the eternal light of God, her inspiration and her creator.