REVEREND GLADYS MARY SPURLL (PEART)

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REVEREND GLADYS MARY SPURLL (nee PEART) The family of The Reverend Gladys Mary Spurll is sad to announce her death on August 27, 2012. Gladys was born in the small town of Spennymoor, in the north of England in October, 1920. In her early career, Gladys worked as a schoolteacher in London, where she met and married Geoffrey Blackman Spurll. In 1956, now with two children, they left England for Canada where they settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The next 24 years were largely dedicated to raising their growing family. After the marriage dissolved she returned to her first calling, and with the generous support of the Anglican church, Gladys entered the seminary. In 1981 she was ordained priest, becoming one of the first ordained women in the province of Manitoba. Having only recently purchased her first car, she found herself in the harsh rural climate of the Pembina Valley, traveling constantly between the towns that made up her six point parish. After some years in a busy retirement, she moved to Montreal to be near her family. Gladys was predeceased by son David, and is survived by children Gwendoline, Barbara, Robert, Vanessa, and Rosemary. Gladys is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Henk, Alice, and Geoffrey Boom, Welland and Victoria Sin, Gem and Shawn Newman, Nicolas Catalan, Rafael Munoz and Gaun Cochran. Gladys was a woman with an irrepressible spirit. She had a voracious love of literature, sometimes astonishing people with her recollection of verse. She will be remembered for her appreciation of a proper cup of tea, her beautiful blue eyes and her impish grin. Many thanks are due to the gracious staff of Fulford Residence where Gladys spent her last days. Gladys frequently expressed her gratitude for their kindness. Memorial Services will be held in Montreal, Quebec at Christ Church Cathedral, 635 Saint Catherine Street West, Tuesday, September 4 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Theological Education for Students Fund in the Diocese of Rupertsland, 935 Nesbitt Bay, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 1W6. Synod office: 204-992-4200.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 01, 2012