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About Gladys: 

April 17, 2011

Kindness, the kindest, most considerate person I have ever known. Kind to family, kind to friends and kind to strangers she had never even met before. That is just how she was, kind.

Smart but humble, there are many smart people in the world and a majority of them will not hesitate to demonstrate just how smart they are and maybe how smart you are not. Not Gladys, she would prefer to have you think you were right rather than make you feel bad by proving you wrong or maybe she might make a suggestion to help steer you toward the truth of the matter yourself.

Beautiful, if you took a look at the pictures around this room you can see what I am talking about. Not only was she physically attractive it was way she moved, gracefully, natural. Graceful, when she walked, even in her later years she would glide across a room, when she spoke it was a soothing voice, never loud or disconcerting. If you see any of examples of her handwriting it was impeccable, her writings were like works of art.

Funny, Gladys had a great sense of humor and something more than that she had absolutely no problem laughing at herself. She was a joy to be with and she appreciated and respected the people around her. She could take any ribbing her Son-In-Laws threw at her and would sometimes give it right back to them two-fold if she felt inclined.

Caring and Loving, Gladys had a big heart and was always there to help her family and friends with anything they needed if she could help. She loved animals, she loved nature and she always took into account peoples feelings. I don’t think anyone could possibly ask for a sweeter more nurturing Mother.

Resourceful, I imagine growing up during the depression she learned that you do the best with what you have, so rather than throw out a piece of clothing that may not be the latest style or suit her the best Gladys would modify it to meet hers needs. Example: I recall giving her a new housecoat as a Christmas gift a few years back and of course she was thrilled and very thankful when she opened it, loved it, “Oh this is beautiful, just what I needed, thank you so much!” (it could have been a skateboard she would have said the same thing). A few months later while visiting my wife Kathy noticed that the same housecoat we had gotten her lost it had hood and had grown a set of pockets!

Respectful, I would challenge anyone here to tell me if they have ever heard Gladys utter an ill word or action to anyone, ever. (Pause), exactly, because that would not have helped anyone. It is too bad more people in the world could not be like Gladys as it would be a much better world.

Her Life:

Born: to Frank & Cora Lyons  on March 25, 1916,  four brothers and sister Rita lifelong best friend. Had horses Mutt and Jeff and Ol’ Colonel whom the children rode..

Young Lady: Graduated Walkerville High School, was “ Runner-up Class Valedictorian”

Teacher: Graduated Teachers College and taught for 7 years at Maidstone Elementary.

Sweetheart / Wife: Caught the eye of John Dallaire and married Sept, 5th 1942

Mother / Super Hero: Had her five girls from Feb 1944 to Feb 1950. Son 1960. Now stop a moment and consider: Picture December 1949, Gladys 7 months pregnant looking after four little girls and a husband and home, can you imagine? You here of someone batting 350 or scoring 50 goals in a season, some call them heroes. No, this was a hero, Gladys was a super-hero.

Grandmother/ Widow / Soldier: Became Grandmother June 1965 and then April 4th 1966 lost her husband suddenly. It must have been devastating but Gladys did not falter but instead regrouped and soldiered on.

Mother-In-law / Great-Grandmother: Non-Meddling Mother in Law, if there was a award for it Gladys would have won the award for “Most Non-Meddling Mother-In-Law. She was also a caring and loving Great-Grandma.

Angel: Reuniting with Johnny, she had a job to complete here on earth but now will be back in the arms of her too-soon lost love / Angel All-Star Team, I am sure she would be a starter on the Angel All Star Team but knowing Gladys if another Angel wanted her spot she would step aside.

Gladys will truly be missed by all of us and I am sure that she would hope that we can all remember her examples of what is truly important in life and how to treat other people. So, the next time you feel the need to lash out at someone or feel sorry for yourself or your condition, the next time you have the chance to reach out and help someone with a kind word or action you will think of Gladys and do the right thing.

On behalf of the Family I would like to thank the 4th floor nursing staff at Metropolitan Hospital for their excellent work and caring, Family First, the 143 Legion but most of all I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers and for your presence here today. I am sure Gladys would be very impressed.

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