GLADYS DIANE KENNEDY HAYWARD WILLIAMS

Condolences & Memories (23 entries)

• Peter and family: It was with great sadness that Bess and I, along with Gayle, learned of Gladys' passing. The shock of hearing the news was only partially tempered with the found memories of our involvement with your family be it with Gladys on the church praise and worship team, youth parliament, teaching and driving the boys to school, running the constituency office and helping out with committee work and elections as well as with Datalink. Gladys and your family were very instrumental with us over the years and her personal contributions to ourselves as well as the community will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. - Posted by: Brad Dowelr (Friend) on: Feb 12, 2022

• Peter and family. Was totally shocked when I heard about Gladys. A lovely woman A wonderful woman always smiling and positive. My deepest regards to you all. Keena Everett - Posted by: Keena Everett (Friend) on: Dec 06, 2021

• So sorry to hear of Gladys’s passing. Breaks my heart! May Ann and John. You both remember our relationships at school. I hope you are able to remember the great times. I met up with Gladys and her husband several years ago and was so nice to see her…her beautiful smile and her zest for life were always there. Love to you all from myself and my sisters Shirley BC and Bettyanne…so sorry to you all. - Posted by: Donna Taylor McLeod (Friend classmate) on: Dec 04, 2021

• Condolences to the family from a former schoolmate and neighbour. - Posted by: Jean (Anderson) Yuill (Friend ) on: Dec 02, 2021

• Dear Peter and family, We offer our sincere condolences to you on the news of Gladys' passing. She was truly an inspiring woman. We first met Gladys 20 years ago when we joined the congregation at Oakbank Christian Church, but it wasn't until 10 years ago that we really became better acquainted when we were invited to join a group that helped with the mailouts for the constitiuency co-ordinated by Gladys and Gayle Dowler. Then a few years later I was asked to join a praise and worship team lead by Gladys. Her passion for exellence and a job well done was obvious in all she did. It has been a blessing to have known her. Valerie and Cheryl Anderson - Posted by: Valerie Anderson (Sisters in Christ) on: Dec 01, 2021

• Peter, Dianne and I are very saddened to learn of the passing of Gladys. These times are so very troubling. We've often thought of the relatively few years that we knew you here in Ottawa, and my brother lives in your area and alerted us to the situation. - Posted by: Jim & Dianne Watchorn (Friends) on: Dec 01, 2021

• My deepest condolences go out to my former fellow junior high school classmate Julie Hawyard on the untimely passing of a public servant. May this time of sorrow lead you on the path to each new tomorrow. - Posted by: Philip Bialk (Went to Grant Park High School) on: Dec 01, 2021

• We attended the same church as Gladys from 2000-2012, and she was an absolute ray of sunshine to everyone who knew her. Fiercely intelligent and very accomplished, her warmth, gentleness, quiet grace and giving nature touched everyone who was fortunate to know her. Peter, Sean, Marc and Matthew, you have our heartfelt sympathies. Your wife and mom shines like a star in our memory, and we grieve with you. Such a beautiful life, lived to the fullest. Jen and Csaba - Posted by: Jen Kulcsar (Church friend) on: Dec 01, 2021

• I was saddened and surprised to hear of Gladys' passing. As a teenager, I was her babysitter for the 3 boys. Sean, Matthew and Marc, I have always kept you in my thoughts all these years. I pray for you and your family during this hard time. Your mom was taken way too soon. She was a special lady with a smile I'll never forget. - Posted by: Trish Leiman Forde (Babysitter) on: Dec 01, 2021

• Peter and family, Henry and I are very saddened by your loss and would like to express our deepest sympathies. Our thought and prayers are with you at this time. - Posted by: Henry and MArielle Wiebe (Friend) on: Nov 30, 2021

• On behalf of the Springfield Legion Branch #146 we wish to convey our deepest sympathy to Gladys' family. She was a strong supporter of Veterans and our Legion Branch, and always assisted where ever she could. She was a outstanding representative of our community and will be missed. - Posted by: Marg Skibo, Lou Malo, Norm Tchir (Springfield Legion Branch #146) on: Nov 30, 2021

• Gladys was an amazing woman and I was so appreciative of her kindness. Sometimes she would call me and say how are things going? Is there anything I can do for the daycare? My condolences to Peter and the family, this makes me very sad to hear. - Posted by: Leola Paul (professional aquaintance) on: Nov 30, 2021

• My deepest and most heartfelt love and support at this difficult time. She was the most beautiful of women. Gladys always had a smile and a "hello" for me at the office and will not ever forget the long chats we had. She was wise and patient with a kind heart. She had a presence about her that could light a room. She will be sadly, but lovingly missed. - Posted by: Tracy Fordham (Friend) on: Nov 30, 2021

• Peter and family, our heart goes out to you all. Words cannot express how sad we feel. Gladys was far too young and had so much more love to share with her family. Time for a game of Scrabble in her honour. 💕 - Posted by: Christina & Malcolm Winter (Friends ) on: Nov 30, 2021

• Peter and family, our very sincere condolences on the loss of your wife and Mother. Taken from you far too soon. May your good memories of her help you through this very sad time in your lives. Please know that we all care. - Posted by: Kathy & Bill Fecio (Ward 5 residents, Springfield R.M.) on: Nov 29, 2021

• Scott has known Gladys since high school and Sharon since 1978, the year we were all married. We both knew Gladys best through church and Sharon also worked with her at the Health Sciences Centre in Wpg. Gladys and Peter have been dear friends. We remember fondly, our trips to Clear Lake and dinners at your home on Garfield St. Gladys was and still is, a precious sister in Christ. We always knew Gladys to be kind and gentle, full of graciousness, and deeply committed to the Lord Jesus. Carpooling together with all our boys when they were young was always an adventure. Sharon remembers with gratefulness the year Gladys drove our son, Ryan, to school the entire school year, in order to help her out as she was home with a new baby. We are so very sorry to hear of Gladys' passing but know with confidence that we will see her again. Peter, Sean, Mark and Matthew - we are very saddened for your loss of this wonderful woman and you are in our prayers. With love and compassion, Sharon and Scott Kennedy - Posted by: Scott and Sharon Kennedy (friends) on: Nov 28, 2021

• Peter, Sean, Melissa, Marc, Athena, Matthew and family. We are so saddened to hear of your (our collective) loss. Aunt Gladys was a warm, kind, generous and beautiful person. She was always ready with a smile and a warm, tight hug. I remember on my wedding day, Gladys very unexpectedly slipped me a beautiful, handmade lace handkerchief. "Something borrowed," she whispered to me right before I walked down the aisle. It had been given to her by her mother. Gladys brought that small, heirloom handkerchief with her all the way from Manitoba. Forethought. Thoughtfulness. A simple, small gesture of great thoughtfulness that may seem small but which lasts a lifetime. A couple of years ago, I tried to return this handkerchief to Gladys. It was an Hayward family heirloom and as she had said, "something borrowed" but of course, with her typical warmth and generosity, she would not hear of it! For the past two weeks, I have kept her handkerchief where I can see it. It will always remind me of Gladys, her warmth and her thoughtful gestures. If I am lucky enough, I will quietly slip the same handkerchief to my daughters on their wedding days and tell them how it came into my possession. Thoughtfulness and compassion. That's what I remember about Gladys. "Be compassionate" she advised. Always. Of course Gladys never told us she received an award from the Governor General or that she addressed the House of Commons in Ottawa as a private citizen... No, because Gladys' greatest pride, I always felt, was her family. Her boys, Peter, her late father, Mr. Hayward, and more recently her gorgeous grandchildren, meant everything to her. Family over accolades. Quiet contribution. Compassion for others. I will miss Gladys. She was lovely and beautiful person. - Posted by: Julia (Niece) on: Nov 28, 2021

• Sorry for your loss. I worked with Gladys at Concordia for the years she was there with us! My sincerest condolences. - Posted by: Verena (Colleague from Concordia Hospital) on: Nov 27, 2021

• We were lifelong friends coming and going out of each other’s lives. We became very close in recent years as life slowed down. Always called her friend from time we met as babies. Went to school together since grade 1. Living in a small town unites people somehow for life. I will miss her very much and I send my deepest condolences to Peter, Jean, May Ann and John as well as their spouses and grandchildren. No one can ever replace her. Loved her so much. Rest In Peace my friend until we meet again. - Posted by: Laurel Maubert Reeves (Friend) on: Nov 27, 2021

• Gladys did the flowers for my wedding and gave me my first binder for music which I still use to this day - always valued that she took the time and was thoughtful enough to do that for me. Deeply saddened by this loss. Condolences to the family, we grieve with you. - Posted by: Liz (Family Friend) on: Nov 27, 2021

• Sorry to hear. Such a shock. Let us know if we can help. - Posted by: Les and Sabrina Tripp (Friend ) on: Nov 27, 2021

• Peter and Family, So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God be with you all. Glen and Debora Fuhl - Posted by: Glen and Debora Fuhl (Friend) on: Nov 27, 2021

• Hey Sean, I just wanted to let you know that you are thought of during this time of grief. Sending my deepest condolences to you and your family. Take care bud. - Posted by: Allan Vincent (Co-worker with Sean) on: Nov 27, 2021