Frances "Gwen" (Hare) Lyle

Frances “Gwen” Lyle, 84, of Ocala, Florida, passed peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2025, at Brandley Hospice House in Summerfield, FL.

Born October 5, 1940, in Valdosta, Georgia, Gwen was the beloved daughter of Mary Frances and William Hare.

She is survived by her loving devoted husband of 50 years (almost), William Lyle, and her cherished family:

Daughters: Annette Porter (Curt), Pam Whetter (Scott), Susanne Stankiewicz (Ricky), and Adrienne Osborn (Rocky)

Sons: Frank Lyle (Shari), Roger Lyle (Gabriele), and Jerry “Jaybird” Jackson (Shelva)

Gwen was preceded in death by her children: David Lyle, Bobby Hart, and Candace Hersh, as well as her siblings: brother William Hare Jr., and sisters Olivia (Diann) King and Aimee Stanaland.

She is also survived by two devoted sisters, Phyllis Bright and Roxanne Hare.

A proud matriarch, Gwen leaves behind a beautiful legacy of 26 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was a loving homemaker, a faithful soul, and the heart of her family. Her spirit will live on through the lives she touched.

October 5, 1940 – July 10, 2025

Today, we gather not just in grief, but in gratitude — for a life so richly lived and a love so deeply felt. Frances “Gwen” Wendolyn Lyle wasn’t just a mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, or great-great grandmother— she was the heart of her family, the steady anchor in every storm, and the quiet strength that held generations together.

Gwen lived with purpose and grace. She didn’t need fanfare or applause to do the remarkable — she did it daily, through the small acts of care, the steady presence she offered, and the wisdom she carried in every word and glance. She taught us that faith was not just a belief, but a way of life — lived out in service, in kindness, and in unshakable love.

She raised not only her own children, but embraced others with open arms — forming a blended family rooted in compassion and unity. Her home was a haven, her kitchen a place of comfort, and her heart a space big enough for everyone who needed it. Gwen had a gift for making people feel safe and seen, for turning ordinary days into cherished memories (we have the pictures).

She was quick to laugh, even quicker to forgive, and fiercely loyal to those she loved as they are with us today. Her humor, warm and wise, reminded us to find joy even when life was heavy. And no matter what she faced, she met it with dignity, grit, and that familiar smile that could light up a room.

But more than anything, Gwen’s legacy is love. You see it in the eyes of her children, in the warmth of all her grandchildren, in the strength of her family — the one she built, nurtured, and fiercely protected. Her hands may have been tired from a lifetime of service, but her spirit was never weary.

Now, she rests in the arms of her Savior — reunited with those she’s missed, free of pain, and surrounded by the peace she so faithfully believed in. Though her chair may sit empty, her presence is everywhere — in the stories we tell, the lessons we live, and the love we pass on.

Let us honor Gwen not with sadness, but with the same strength and love she showed us. Let us carry forward her legacy — to be kind, to be strong, and to love without limits.

Heaven gained a mighty soul, and we — we were blessed beyond measure to have known her.

Rest in peace, Gwen. You did well. You gave your all. And you are forever cherished.