Gwendolyn Brunelle Obituary

Gwendolyn Brunelle

December 9, 1995 - June 30, 2023

Boise, Idaho - Gwendolyn Margaret Brunelle, 27, died in the high desert of eastern Oregon in Malheur County near Succor Creek in the early summer of 2023. Although the precise date of her death is unconfirmed, it is estimated to have been approximately June 30, 2023. A Memorial Mass will be held June 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 811 S. Latah St., in Boise. A reception will be held at the church in Faith Hall immediately following Mass.

Gwen was born in Boise on December 9, 1995, the only child of Betsy and Andy Brunelle. Gwen was a very bright, precocious and active child, and taught her parents lessons in humility and unconditional love. A year ago, she wrote, "I was 'set loose' in the neighborhood with my friends by age 8/9. I grew up in the East End of Boise, which is a neighborhood as old as the city itself; it's a true American neighborhood with mature trees and lots of old houses. The average cyclist could bike from my parents' house to the steps of the state capitol in about 15 minutes. I truly loved where I grew up, and still do."

Gwen attended Roosevelt Elementary School, meeting and playing with friends, and taking care of her pets which included cats, hamsters, rats and mice. She soon established a pet sitting and dog walking business (with many repeat customers), advertising in the school phone directory and at Roosevelt Market. In her spare time, she taught herself to solve a Rubik's Cube and learned html language to build websites. Gwen enjoyed fishing and camping and caught the biggest fish at the inaugural Trout Unlimited Trout Camp in 2009 on the Middle Fork Boise River.

Being an only child Gwen enjoyed spending time with her cousins and family, looking forward to holiday and birthday gatherings. As the youngest among the cousins, she learned much from them and attended their sporting events and activities. Cousins and friends helped Gwen hone a dry, quick-witted humor. She was clever and observant and didn't take herself too seriously.

At age eleven Gwen decided to join 4-H, acquired her first rabbit, Muffin, and won junior grand champion showman her first year at the Western Idaho Fair. Gwen continued in 4-H, winning awards and started to breed Jersey Woolies to exhibit in the American Rabbit Breeders Association sanctioned shows, where she had several rabbits that did very well. She and her family enjoyed traveling to shows in several western states and showing her rabbits became a family affair! Gwen and her mother became rabbit project leaders for the 4-H Spikes and Fur club for five years, with Gwen teaching youth about showing and caring for rabbits. Gwen competed in the national ARBA youth competition over several years, reaching the pinnacle of achievement winning the title of Queen in 2011 at the national convention in Indianapolis, IN.

Gwen attended the University of Idaho for a few years, returning to Boise in 2017 to co-lead her 4-H club, earned her ARBA registrar license (a step towards becoming a rabbit judge), and met Gerald Sanderson. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching 4-H students, passing along her detailed knowledge and passion for God's small creatures. She liked raising rabbits and chickens (keeping the family well-stocked in eggs), working on her art and music, and was an incredible and loving partner with Gerald the past six years.

There were periods of time in Gwen's life when she encountered mental health issues. We feel she suffered from an undiagnosed psychotic illness. Isolation during the pandemic may have been a contributing element. We believe these factors may have created a state of anxiety and confusion in her final days and ultimately contributed to her passing. While the cause of death is undetermined at this time, it is believed she died from a combination of dehydration and exposure.

Gwen was proceeded in death by grandparents John and Margaret Arnold, Barney Brunelle and aunt Connie Arnold Love. She leaves behind her life partner Gerald Sanderson, parents Betsy and Andy Brunelle, grandmother Beverly Brunelle, uncles and aunts Mark Arnold and Lauren Harris, John Arnold and Lisa Zarr, Mike Brunelle and Beatriz Cortabarria, Nick and Laurie Brunelle, Therese and Pat Clifford, John and JoJo Brunelle, and Randy Van Dyke.

Cousins: Ryan Skene and Heather Lingbloom and Isla and Drew Skene, Katie and Charles Hudson and Ella, Jeff and Zoe Brunelle and Everett and Collins, Jordan Clifford, Krista and Jon Dugmore and Graham and Leo, Jone Brunelle and Chris Willis and Amaia, Jessie Brunelle and Forrest Parsons, Cassie and Matt Cunningham and Leni, Michael Ander Brunelle, Mila Arnold, and Jack Arnold.

Betsy and Andy would like to give a special thanks to Gerald who provided all the love, understanding, companionship and care he gave to Gwen.

Our family, friends, and volunteers helped in so many ways in the search for Gwen, giving their time and treasure to the effort. Please know you have our eternal gratitude. We would also like to recognize Emmett-based Mountain States Detection Dogs, Terravatta, of Homedale, Silver Valley Search and Rescue, and Aloft Drone Search of Sherwood, Oregon, for playing key roles in locating Gwen. We also want to acknowledge the service of the Malheur County Sheriff's Office: Sheriff Travis Johnson; Undersheriff David Kesey; Deputy Brian Belnap; and Deputy Michael Hale.

Three years ago, Gwen envisioned setting up a scholarship fund for 4-H students stating, "I hope to instill this sense of empowerment and trust to pursue higher education with less restraint and burden. I also want to instill a sense of independence and autonomy." We are establishing in memory of Gwen a scholarship fund, and the family kindly asks that, if you are so inclined, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gwendolyn Brunelle Fund at Idaho Central Credit Union. More information is available at www.FindGwen.com.