GLADYS MURIEL MELLOW

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GLADYS MURIEL MELLOW It is with great sorrow that the family announces the death of Gladys Mellow, on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Gladys was born December 27, 1922, and grew up on a farm near Ferndale, MB, the eighth of nine children. Two of her sisters, Rosa and Laura, died in childhood, but her other siblings (Marion, Sadie, Elmer, Sam, Ralph, and Mary) played a large part in her early life, as did her childhood friend, Irene Mellow. When the Second World War started, Gladys, eager to do her part, almost rushed off to join the WACS, but Sam, concerned for her safety, convinced her to stay at home and raise turkeys, which he sold in Winnipeg, and for which she received a share of the profits. Irene convinced her that she could help out without leaving home, by writing to a lonely serviceman, Irene's brother Jack. The letters led to romance and when Jack returned from overseas, he and Gladys were married and moved to Sanford. Here she raised three children, Lynne, Lloyd and Muriel, several cats and a dog. She spent most of her adult life here, caring for her family and household. She enjoyed gardening and every year planted a vegetable garden in the back yard, and raised flowers in the flower beds around the house. Geraniums were her specialty, but violets and chrysanthemums and tiger lilies all flourished under her hand. When her mother grew old and unable to take care of herself, Gladys took care of her, and later did the same for Irene. In the summer, she enjoyed vacationing with Jack and the kids, travelling to Thunder Bay and the West Coast and after Jack's retirement, to Alaska, Hawaii and California. After Jack moved into Deer Lodge in 1995, Gladys sold the house and moved to Mandan Manor, where she lived until recently, planting a garden there every year, thanks in part to the efforts of her good friend Martha Schlichting. Gladys is survived by her sister Mary, daughter Lynne (Stew McEwen), son Lloyd and daughter Muriel (Tad Mitsui), granddaughter Sarah McEwen. Funeral service will be held at Sanford United Church at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 27, followed by interment at Sanford Cemetery. As an alternative to flowers, donations may be made in Gladys' name to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 25, 2006