Page 50 - SHOWSIGHT - JULY 2020
P. 50
LINES FROM LINDA
EXTRAORDINARY LADY
AKC JUDGE GWENDOLYN M. MEANS
BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR
Gwen was all smiles in Peoria, Illinois, when she was President of the Collie Club of America.
Gwendolyn Means, a truly remarkable icon in the sport of dogs, has traveled a particularly complicated road to overcome all odds in fulfilling her dreams. In April of this year, she completed serving her term as President of the Collie Club of America and enjoyed celebrating her birthday on April 27.
The story of her life was celebrated by the CCA Quarter Century Collie Group on a magical evening in the Spring of 2016. Memories flood my mind as I recall the gathering at Louisville, Kentucky’s Churchill Downs when Gwen received the group’s Right Stuff Award, presented to a deserving individual who has made an impact on the Collie breed. The QCCG Board unanimously agreed on Gwen as the recipient and thought it fitting to present it to her in the same city where she first exhibited her Collie 57 years before. I was blessed to be invited to sit at the table that evening with Gwen and her daughter, Teresa, James Hol- liday with his daughter, Meredith, Janine Walker-Keith, and Butch and Robin Schulman.
Board President James Holliday introduced John Buddie who presented the Hall of Fame Award (for those who have been deceased for five years or longer and a pillar in the breed) to Patricia Starkweather. Following a tribute by Janine Walker-Keith, Louisville native AKC Judge Butch Schulman presented the Right Stuff Award, which is typically recognized in the area where the Collie Club of America National Specialty is held. Quarter Century Collie Group 2016 Board Members included James Holliday, Leslie Jeszewski, June Morris, Pat Jung, Dr. Bill Brokken, Leslie Canavan, Carmen Leonard, Janet Hitt, Heather Newcombe and Bill Holbrook. >
top left:
Gwen Means, 1960s, with her foundation bitch, Brandwyne Destiny’s Star, from the great Ch. Brandwyne Pandora.
top right:
The Means Family, Gwen’s late husband, Morris, daughter, Teresa and son, Marc.
48 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JULY 2020
