Newspaper Ad Exec Gwen Parker Found Dead

Gwen Barfield Depaz (Parker) passed away recently, at the age of 66.

Long Beach Police were summoned to her East Long Beach home on Monday, Feb. 18, at 3:10 p.m. by a neighbor’s request to check her well being. She was pronounced deceased by responding Long Beach Fire Department personnel at 3:42 p.m.

Depaz had been in declining health over the past few months. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy on Feb. 20 and the cause of death was listed as “deferred.”

Former employer Jay Beeler at the Beachcomber newspaper last spoke with Parker on Friday morning, Feb. 15. She complained of medical issues and pain, unable to talk for more than a few minutes.

She was born on Oct. 18, 1952 at St. Mary’s Hospital and attended Prisk Elementary, Stanford Junior High and Millikan High School. She attended a medical transcribing business college and could type 120 words per minute, intimidating those who worked next to her. She claimed to have taken an educational course entitled “Hard Road of Knocks.”

Depaz worked in advertising sales for more than 48 years, often using the last name of Parker. She was with the Press-Telegram for 20 years, Sun Newspaper for 13 years, News-Enterprise for four years and retired from the Beachcomber newspaper in April 2016 after nine years at that Long Beach publication.

“Gwen bragged that she memorized thousands of client’s names, phone numbers and ZIP codes because there was no delete button in her brain,” said Beeler.

“In December Gwen regaled attendees at our holiday party, including reporter Sean Belk, who died last month in an automobile accident,” Beeler lamented in the passing of both work associates in recent weeks.

With no other known next of kin, Depaz was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and sister, leaving two dogs, Romeo and Juliet, that have been rescued by Animal Care Services. Anyone wishing to adopt the dogs should contact attorney Elizabeth Vozzella by email – vozzella4law@gmail.com – before Feb. 28.

In life, Depaz liked to look at problems as challenges. Her parting obituary draft message written in October to "friends, boyfriends and clients who made me feel like family … thanks for being in my lifetime … from a gal who loved too much. In lieu of flowers, send a small amount to your favorite charity.”

In anticipation of a celebration of life for Depaz, friends should send an email to publisher@beachcomber.news with "Gwen Parker" in the subject line or call (562) 597-8000 to be placed on an invitation list.