Remembering Lee County League Captain Gwendolyn “Gwen” Berestecki

USTA Florida is saddened by the recent passing of volunteer and league captain Gwendolyn Berestecki. She was a beloved member of the USTA Florida family, especially in her community of Lee County. 

Born in 1952, in Flint, Michigan, Gwendolyn, also known as Gwen to her peers, has been giving back to her community and helping others for decades. She earned a radiologic technologist certification and worked in a few hospitals. She worked at Hurley Hospital in Flint and then spent 20 years at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. 

In recent years, Gwen and her husband, John, moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where Gwen became involved with tennis. She started playing the sport and left a lasting impact on her community in Lee County. 

Following the recent boom of tennis players, Gwen started to captain USTA Florida Adult League teams, ranging different skills and age levels. She loved to see people playing tennis and encouraging her teammates to give their all on the courts. Gwen was captaining four teams a year since 2022 across Mixed and Women divisions. 

“She was a wonderful person to be around, and she was an amazing captain,” one of her peers said. Many people felt her impact in Lee County as she was deeply involved with doing her part to make sure everyone could enjoy the sport. 

“Gwen was a teammate and an opponent but was always gracious and kind on both sides of the net. She was one of the ‘good ones’ and her absence is already keenly missed by the tennis community, she was special,” another Lee County tennis player said. 

“I will always remember Gwen’s energy and positivity. She was an amazing woman and will be sorely missed by all,” another person added. “I had the pleasure of playing with her on a combo USTA [Florida] team about 2 years ago, when I was new to the community. She was a supportive tennis partner and taught me how to stand up for myself on the court.” 

On February 28, 2024, Gwen passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her home at the age of 72. Following her death, many of her friends created an acronym from her name, to show what Gwen Berestecki truly meant: 

Go play tennis 

Win – play to win 

Enjoy the moment 

Never say no to tennis 

Beautiful 

Engaging 

Respectful 

Extraordinary 

Selfless 

Tenacious 

Entertaining 

Clever 

Kind 

Inspiring 

USTA Florida shares our heartfelt condolences with her husband John, and the rest of Gwen’s family who will live out her legacy.