Obituary of Inez Estelle Gusey

Inez Estelle Adams Gusey, born February 25, 1933 in Santa Fe, New Mexico passed away peacefully at home on November 11, 2019.  She is survived by her son William E. Gusey and daughter Diana Gusey Trouy of Walnut Creek, two grandchildren Evan W. Trouy of  Fort Mill, SC, and Adam Trouy of Kirkland,Washington, his wife Kelsey, and her great grandson Jackson Trouy.  She also leaves nephews David and Richard Waggoner of Lake Oswego, Oregon, niece Sylvia Marchington of Medford, OR, and Doug and Scott Marchington and their wives Debbie and Sharon of Grants Pass and LaPine, OR, along with niece and nephew Joanne and Mark Gusey of Houston, TX.  Inez was preceded in death by her husband Richard (Dick) Gusey of 66 years, her parents Lloyd and Mary Inez Adams of Portland, OR, her sister Leta Marchington and husband Gene of Medford, OR, and her Aunt and Uncle Franklin and Susan Waggoner of Lake Oswego, OR, and brother and sister-in-law Bill and Betty Jean Gusey of Spring, TX.

Inez was raised in Portland, OR attending Franklin High School and then Willamette University in Salem, OR where she met her husband Dick whom she married upon graduation in 1955.  Inez majored in biology and Dick economics and history.  She was a membership of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and worked in the strawberry fields among other jobs in order to help pay for college.  Upon graduation she began her teaching career first in Independence, OR followed by Gunn High School in Palo Alto, CA.  The young family moved to Walnut Creek in 1963 where Inez continued her teaching career, first at Ygnacio Valley High followed by Northgate High in 1974 until her retirement.  She coached tennis every year of her career and received the North Coast Section honorable coach award in 1988, acknowledging her professional conduct, service to interscholastic athletics, outstanding coaching accomplishment, and contributions to school and community. At one point in her coaching career, her teams won 10  consecutive  championships.  Interesting to note is that Inez coached both girls and boys teams while at Northgate High, and held the first co-ed P.E. class in which the state filmed.  Also during her early years at Northgate, she and Ted Abbott and Roger Leonard, began teaching social dance the two weeks prior to Christmas vacation.  All students learned everything from the foxtrot, salsa, the waltz, to freestyle.  She also began ski conditioning classes, running her classes on the fire trails above Northgate High.  Among all her team's trophies and awards earned over the years, her family's favorite is a retirement plaque presented her that reads:

Northgate High School
Inez Gusey
Builder of Champions
16 years - a Coach
14 years - A Champion
"ALWAYS A LADY"

What made Inez a lady was not just her physical beauty and grace, but that she poured her sincere love and encouragement into her family as well as her students, whether they were athletic or not. She got to know many of their families.   She cared about their academic achievements above all,  and their health and their character. Though a believer in discipline, she was an encourager to all and embodied class and kindness to all.

In addition to her love of the outdoors, whether it be skiing, tennis, boating, etc she was playful and enjoyed just about any activity.  Favorite times for her included walking on the beach and she studied for her masters by enrolling in many marine biology classes.  Upon her retirement from teaching she became passionate about golf and adored playing with her friends and especially her grandsons Adam and Evan.  With her organizational skills she was soon running women's golf tournamens at Boundary Oaks Golf Course.

Proud of being raised by her deaf parents who were professional upholsterers, she inherited their athleticism, and their fine art skills,  excelling at oil painting, pottery, drawing, sewing, quilting and needlepoint, with several pieces shown in art shows.  She loved the peace and quiet of creating beautiful things for her friends and family.  She also inherited her parent's love for adventure and their playful silly personalities with children.

Inez was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church for 31 years, volunteering her teaching and signing skills to children during Vacation Bible School weeks,  singing in the choir, involvement in the altar guild, Loaves and Fishes, the Assistance League and the Monument Crisis Center among other activities.  If there was a need at church, in her family, and in the neighborhood, Inez was there.  She didn't ask, she just did.

Her years were full of quietly "doing for others," and taught her children and grandchildren the importance of being thoughtful of others, to be honest, giving, and to always "do the right thing."  She allowed her children to make their mistakes but was quick to explain the lesson learned and especially to forgive, followed always by affection.  She would often say, "Love conquers all" and move on.

The fun side of Inez included introducing new activities to her family, often bringing old P.E. equipment home to the neighborhood, including parachutes, spent tennis balls, and archery targets which would lean again the walnut trees.  She instigated water fights in the neighborhood and was quick to pull out the hoses and fill water balloons.  Her children knew it was important to play outside, and if you wanted to be inside during the day, you better be reading, doing chores, cooking or creating.  No daytime TV!  She would take Laser Sailing lesson in the Berkeley Marina, love it, and then sign her kids up for a week.  She did the same with windsurfing lessons. 

The family's ski  life at Tahoe began in the 1960's when four neighborhood families, the Hill,  Lanche,  Schlueter and Gusey families rented a very small cabin for winter seasons, a total of 17 adults and children, enjoying hilarious memories.   In 1971 the Gusey and Schlueter families purchased a home in Dollar Point, and a favorite memory was spending a Christmas there, being able to cut down a 16' tree on a friend's property, hauling it through the snow to Dick's old International Harvester Scout, and decorating it beautifully in front of the windows facing out to the lake.  A great memory and blessing. Christmas was her favorite time of year.

Inez's family is beyond grateful to all the family and friends, and former students who have poured out so much love and appreciation for Inez, "Mrs. Gusey."  In lieu of flowers, you may donate in her name to the Monument  Crisis Center of Pleasant Hill, Hospice of the Easy Bay, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County,  St. Matthew Giving Fund, or a charity of your choice.  Thank you.

~ Love Conquers All ~