It is with great sadness that the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society announced the passing of Gwen Vermeulen on June 27, 2024. Gwen passed away peacefully at the age of 96.
Gwen Jean Vermeulen (Nee Burroughs) was born March 22, 1928 in Lincoln Nebraska to Gladys Mary Burroughs (Perry) and Wendell Francis Burroughs. In 1932 they moved to Santa Ana, California. Gwen attended primary school in Santa Ana,Willard Jr. High School, Santa Ana High School and Santa Ana Junior College.
In 1949 Gwen married Silvere Vermeulen, who was born and lived in Irvine. They lived on the Irvine Ranch where Silvere farmed crops for the then Irvine Ranch and where their three children were born. They met and had many long lasting friends from the Santa Ana and surrounding areas that they socialized with for over 50 years. When Gwen was in her 80’s, she still used to go up to Santa Ana for pot-luck lunches with long standing friends. Silvere passed away in 2002, and there was not a day that went by that she did not miss him.
In 1964, Gwen, Silvere and their children moved to San Juan Capistrano to farm on family property owned by Silvere’s brother. They grew fresh vegetables and strawberries and had their own farm stand on Del Obispo, which today is the home of the Vermeulen Ranch Center. The farm stand operated for ten years, seven days a week from March to the middle of November. Gwen ran the farm stand and during busy periods she would hire local high school girls and friends to help her. The pumpkin patch in October was a big community favorite. By the 1970’s farming was changing in San Juan Capistrano as buildings were taking over the farm land on Del Obispo. The Vermeulen’s were able to lease land from Rancho Mission Viejo Co. on Ortega Highway that is now the City owned Riding Park and further up on Ortega they also leased another area to grow produce and then send if off to other markets. But there was no farm stand for Gwen to “run”, so she looked for another occupation to keep her busy along with her homemaker duties.
The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society was looking for someone to run their office. For the next 47 years Gwen was not only the heart and soul of the Society, but the backbone of the organization as the Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors. She organized every event of the society from the Heritage BBQ, the Annual Membership Mixer, the annual Camp Pendelton Rancho Santa Margarita Ranch House tour, Christmas Tree Lighting and the Ghost and Legends walk in the historic district. She ran the famous Tony Forster tri-tip sandwich booth during the Swallow Day Parade and Mercado. Without a computer, Gwen’s index card file was famous for tracking addresses, phone number and birthdays of Society members. It is still used today. Gwen never had a sick day off work in all the years at the Society. Upon her retirement in 2018, at the age of 90, the reception area of the Society Headquarters, was named in her honor.
In 2014 Gwen was named Woman of the Year by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce and placed on the Wall of Recognition for the city of San Juan Capistrano.
Gwen attended mass at the Mission Basilica most weekdays and every Sunday morning at the 7:30 mass. She volunteered every Monday, her day off from the Historical Society, in the Church office, “money counting” as she called the donations from Sunday services.
Gwen is survived by her son, Brian, wife Connie, daughter, Diane, husband Larry Johnson and son Don, wife Heather. Grandchildren are Brett Vermeulen, wife, Chevon, Brianna Patterson, husband Mike Amanda and Kendra Johnson and Katelyn Padilla, husband Ryan. Great Great-grandchildren are Christian, Cash and Deacon Vermeulen, Page and Grant Patterson, Lazarus and Killian Padilla.
Funeral Mass for Gwen will be held at the Mission Basilica on Friday, July 19th, 2024 at 11:00 am.