Gladys, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2017. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Walter in 2002; adored by her children David (Taffy), Norman, Doreen (Fred) Shanks, and Alan; cherished grandchildren Jenna (Nick) Russell, Ian, Emily (Levi) Keys, Derek(Tineke) Shanks and great-grandchildren, Conor, Coral, Kiara, Brooklyn and Shanae. She will be sadly missed by nephew John and nieces Rosemary, Kathy, Michelle and Trish.
Gladys was born in Melville, Saskatchewan on March 14, 1921. Shortly after completing her training as a registered nurse at McKellar School of Nursing in Fort William in 1943, she joined the army, expecting to be posted overseas. With the war coming to an end however, Gladys was instead assigned to Shaughnessy Military Hospital in Vancouver. It was there that Gladys met the love of her life, Walter, who was recovering from injuries sustained after crash landing his damaged spitfire. They returned to Victoria, raised a family, and became active in their community. During those busy and happy years, Gladys continued to volunteer for the First United Church and was an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Gladys will be remembered for her compassion, generosity, perseverance and cheerful countenance. Her spirit, her strength and her wisdom will be in our hearts forever.
Thank you to the staff of Mount St. Mary Hospital whose kindness, respect, dedication and compassion provided Gladys with much dignity during the last years of her life.
A memorial service will be held at McCall Gardens on Saturday, March 11 at 2pm.
Instead of flowers please consider a donation to Mount St. Mary Hospital, 861 Fairfield Road, Victoria, B.C., V8V 5A9.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
www.mccallgardens.com
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David Palmer-Stone
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Merrilee Evans We’re so sorry to hear of Gladys’ passing. We’ll always remember Gladys and Walter’s generosity in opening up their home to us before and after our wedding, since my parents lived out of town at the time. I would often come home to find my mother, Joyce, and Gladys sitting in the living room, sipping glasses of sherry, engaged in lively discussions. She had such a sparkling personality. Love to you all, Merrilee & Doug Evans
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Dorothy Chamberlain My condolences to the family for their loss. Gladys was a wonderful lady and how lucky you were to have shared so many years with her. I only knew her from Mount St Mary as my husband Cliff and her were in the same house.
Dorothy Chamberlain
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Fay and Phillip Russell It has been a privilege to enjoy sharing my precious daughter in law,Jenna’s, grandmother. Although our friendship has been brief I have witnessed in Gladys a true lady with a love of family and a spirit that has overcome disability with humour and grace. She will leave fond memories especially as she was so determined to make Jenna and Nick’s wedding! She brought an extra something to that day.
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Cindy Alblas Sending my condolences to the whole Family, Aunt Galdys had a very special place in my heart, and I am grateful to have had the chance to get to know her. She will always be an inspiration to me in my life, her strength, her resilience, her connection to sisterhood, to nature and to her family and love of her life Uncle Walter.<3 She was one special lady,who will be very missed, sending our love to you all. <3 Cindy, Jay, Damien and Owyn Alblas
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Kathy Rietz Ahhh what a wonderful person Aunt Gladys was. So happy to had finally meet her 3years ago! My prayers of condolences for all you . May the Holy Spirit bring you comfort as you remember her. Love Kathy
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Rosemary Griffiths Please accept our thoughts and prayers at Aunt Gladys’ passing I am so glad that I had two wonderful visits in Victoria BC in the past 5 years to spend time with her. She was a beautiful person and a loving Aunt. Love always
Rosemary and Ron Griffiths
My deepest condolences to the Lock Family.
The news of Mrs. Lock’s passing brought a cascade of memories for me, since I have been friends with Norm since our early adolescence. Not long ago, I visited Norm and he gave a pack of small “Pom-Pom” brand cigarillos. He reminded me, with a smile, that that was his mother’s name for me: “Pom-Pom” – derived no doubt from my surname. I have a vague memory of him saying to her, “Why do you call him that?! His name is ‘Stone’!” And her retort: “Well, I like ‘Pom-Pom’ better!” I took it in good humour. I understood intuitively that it was her quirky, funny way of making me feel welcome, and appreciated as her son’s friend. So we spent the evening of that visit enjoyably, sharing memories of such events, that had taken place 50 years before.
I will remember Mrs. Lock with great fondness until the end of my days.