GLADYS MACDONALD (1924-2024)
She was a teacher, a writer, an artist, a poet, an actor, a clown, and an athlete. But most of all, she was a loving mother and wife. We said farewell to Gladys, our mom, on January 6, 2024
Mom always had to keep busy and that's the way she lived. She grew up in Mortlach, just west of Moose Jaw, and was one of ten children. Mom loved kids. She began her teaching career in 1942 in a two-room school in Birmingham, Saskatchewan. She went on to teach in Eastleigh and Clayhill. Mom's summers were spent playing ball. That's how she met her future husband, Lennie. He was the coach. Lennie and Gladys got married on August 28, 1948, and had three children.
After the kids were school-aged, mom returned to teaching in Moose Jaw. She taught kindergarten at Empire, Prince Arthur, and Westmount Schools. In 1984, she received a plaque in recognition of 'dedicated and outstanding service in education'. During her teaching years, mom took university classes in Arts, Music, Childhood Education, English, Psychology and Audio-Visual Aids. Mom was a member of the Moose Jaw Camera Club, the Moose Jaw Art Guild, the Art Museum, Prairie Pens writers, the Hilltop Curling Club, and a number of bowling leagues. In the late 1980s, mom painted fire hydrants on South Hill in Moose Jaw, turning them into pieces of art. She loved to entertain and would often don her clown outfit (she made it) and perform at children's birthday parties and in parades down Main Street. She also made costumes for every occasion. We were never at a loss at Halloween.
In 1990, Gladys received the Provincial Recognition Award for her support and service in Culture. Also in the 1990s, mom wrote a regular column in the Moose Jaw Times Herald called "Gabble by Glady"; stories of everyday life that everyone could relate to. It was a popular column. In 2005, she was awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. She was a busy gal, but not too busy to be the perfect mom, guiding us and loving us without judgement. We are so proud of our mother. Mom spent her later years at the Bentley, West Park Crossing, and Pioneer Lodge in Moose Jaw. We want to thank the staff at those facilities for making mom’s life so fulfilling right to the end.
She was a loving mother to Bev McLachlan (Lyle Burns), Lois Knowles, and Rob MacDonald (Scott Bell), and cherished grandma to Cory McLachlan (Joanne), Chad McLachlan (Ashley), Luke Knowles (Maisie) and Jesse Knowles (Katherine), and great-grandmother to Rylan and Reed McLachlan, Izzy and Jojo Knowles and Ezra and Levi Knowles. She is also survived by her brother Stan Hodgins of Saskatoon and many nieces and nephews. Gladys is predeceased by her husband Lennie, her parents Garfield and Hettie Hodgins, son-in-law John Knowles, siblings Ivan Hodgins, Lloyd Hodgins, Haldon Hodgins (Malty), Evelyn Orcheson (Norm), Helen Rennie (Gerry), Doris Hall (Jerry), Shirley Guenther (Bud), Inez Sorensen (Cecil), sisters-in-law, Pat Hodgins, Ann Fletcher (Jim), and brother-in-law Marv MacDonald (Ev).
Mom's favourite color was pink. If you plan to attend, feel free to wear something pink to the celebration. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, or charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life for mom will be held at W.J. Jones and Son Funeral Home, 474 Hochelaga Street West, Moose Jaw on Sunday June 2, 2024, at 1:30PM.
Those unable to attend can watch the livestream service by clicking on the link. Please be in the waiting room prior to 1:20 PM Saskatchewan time. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9827558167?omn=84213454379
In living memory of Gladys, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Ltd. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Chrystine Dacey- Funeral Director