Resident Spotlight
If you ever find yourself captivated by an English accent and a twinkle in the eye during Bingo at Legacy Village of Cleveland, you’ve likely already met Gwynfa “Gwyn” Leimbach. With a life story that spans continents, war eras, and family adventures, Gwyn’s presence brings a sense of history—and heart—to our community.
Gwyn was born the youngest of nine spirited children in Colchester, England, to Ernest and Elizabeth (“Bessie”) Fairweather. Her childhood was filled with laughter, the loyal companionship of her dog Spot, and the kind of mischief only a house full of siblings can stir up. Even as a young girl, Gwyn found joy in friendship: she met her lifelong best friends, Brenda and Thelma, in elementary school—a bond that would last a lifetime.
School days were happy ones for Gwyn, especially when she was learning Spelling, Music, and Geography at East Ward High. She and Thelma once hopped on their bicycles with a local cycling club and rode all the way to Newmarket racetrack—an astonishing 110-mile journey powered by youthful energy and curiosity.
After high school, Gwyn’s days were split between working in a Colchester clothing factory office and studying business at night at Northeast Essex College of Arts and Science. She graduated with a business degree, then set off for London, where she became secretary to the manager at Fat Stock Marketing in Knightsbridge. London was bustling, exciting, and full of opportunity—but fate had something unforgettable in store.
One evening, during her night school years, Gwyn went to a dance at The Corn Exchange, a lively local hall. There she met Gil Leimbach, a young American Fighter Pilot stationed at Shepherd’s Grove US Air Force Base. Sparks flew. The two began a courtship that spanned three and a half years, countless train rides between Colchester and London, and a flurry of letters and phone calls after Gil returned to the States. Nine months later, Gil came back to England with a question—and Gwyn said yes.
They married in Baltimore, Maryland, honeymooned there, and soon found themselves on the move: first to Oklahoma City, then Arizona’s Luke Air Force Base, and eventually all the way to Japan for three remarkable years. With every new posting came adventure, and along the way, Gwyn and Gil welcomed three children—Jim, Jayne, and Robert. The family grew to include one beloved grandchild, Nicole.
After Japan, Tampa, Florida, became home while Gil served at MacDill Air Force Base, and then completed two tours in Vietnam before retiring from the Air Force after 21 years. Gwyn embraced her role as a stay-at-home mother and threw herself into community work with the Air Force Officers’ Wife Club, always finding ways to bring people together and support her neighbors.
Retirement brought more family travels—especially to the Great Smoky Mountains, back to England, and, best of all, to the beach, Gwyn’s favorite destination. She’s always loved a good book (Bill O’Reilly is a favorite author) and has a steadfast faith, first as a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Tampa, and now at First Lutheran Church of Cleveland.
After losing her beloved Gil in 2020, Gwyn moved to Tennessee to be closer to her family. Here at Legacy Village, she has become a cherished part of our community—never missing a chance to play Bingo, quick to spark up a conversation, and always eager to share stories about her English roots and the love of her life, Gil.
We’re grateful every day for Gwyn’s warmth, wisdom, and gentle humor. Her journey reminds us all that home is less about a place and more about the people you share it with. We’re truly blessed to have Gwyn as part of our Legacy Village family.
