Gwendolyn Nebelsick Mahler passed away on October 24, 2026. She went to be with her husband, Fred and her Lord with her family at her bedside. Gwendolyn Nebelsick Mahler was her full name, but she was just "mom." She was born on July 18, 1935 in Chicago to ldolynn and Albert Nebelsick. Newly born, she came home from the hospital with her older sisters, Lulu Lee and Claudette waiting for her.
As a young school girl she excelled in high school in a busy social life. She was a varsity cheerleader for all four years, homecoming queen, always a member of a court for various honors but her own best claim of accomplishment was being a majorette and a member of the concert band for three years without ever learning how to read music or play her clarinet.
She attended Indiana University for three semesters when she decided she wanted to lead the life of being a Trans World Airline hostess and seeing the world. She came to Kansas City in 1955. Her days in the skies afforded her many wonderful opportunities; one being invited to dine with U.S. Senator Estes Kefauver and retired president, Harry S. Truman here in Kansas City. She flew for just thirteen months when she married her pilot husband, Fred. They had four children.
During her married life, she devoted herself to charity work; being interviewed at various times on the Today Show by Hugh Downs, Barbara Walters, and Frank Fields of NBS News. Mr. Fields complimented her by telling her that she had six minutes on the New York Evening News and that no one ever got six minutest
Gwen also enjoyed being a corporate speaker for Trans World Airlines as well as being a flight attendant interviewer and a pilot interviewer for TWA.
She was TWA Clipped Wings (retired TWA airline hostesses) International President for four years traveling as far as Paris, London and Hong Kong to develop chapters. She was the author of five books; pictorial histories for TWA, United, American and Continental Airlines. Robert Serling, former Aviation Editor for the United Press International, complimented Gwen in saying her books were a fitting tribute and a worthwhile addition to the annals of commercial aviation. Mr. Serling paid tribute to Gwen in some of her own books. Her last book, Shadows of Mulberry, is a true story based on her family's southern history as well as her mother meeting her father who was on "Untouchable" with Eliot Ness.
Gwen was also an International Tour Guide for Maritz Travel Company for 18 years taking people a11 over the world.
Gwen is survived by three daughters, Gwendolyn, Claudette, Stephanie (Wilbur Hoerl) and a son Frederick (Julia), two grandchildren, Dr. Steven Kanarek MD (Dr Valbona Kanarek MD), Brooke Lindberg and great grandchildren, Nikolas Mahler Lindberg, Adelina Kanarek and Adrian Kanarek as well as several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Gwen in death were her parents, one sister Dr. Claudette McCarty of Cincinnati, Ohio. The family requests no flowers. Should you wish, you may remember Gwen through a contribution to the animal shelter of your choice. Gwen's ashes have been blended with her husband, Fred's ashes for internment.
Gwendolyn Nebelsick Mahler, woman, daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother had a glorious ride through life.
