GLADYS MAY HARRIS
August 6, 1920 – May 24, 2022
It is with profound sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of Gladys May Harris of Barrhead, on May 24, 2022, at the age of 101 years.
Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful Mom are her daughter Brenda (Glen) Baron of St. Albert and her son Hugh of Barrhead. Gladys was blessed with three grandchildren and she will be forever lovingly remembered by her granddaughters Andrea (Kent) Wierenga and Tanya (Cim) Olson and great-grandchildren Nate; Brooklyn & Tyson and Braelynn. She will be missed by eight nieces and one nephew and their families, as well as very close friends.
Gladys is predeceased by her husband Jack (1982), her parents Alfred and Ella Saddler, her only sister Muriel and her husband Ellis Skogstad, sister-in-law Marian and her husband Ole Sorenson, as well as many dear friends.
Gladys was born on August 6, 1920, two and ¼ miles west of the town of Barrhead and spent her entire life in the area. Her father died when she was just nine years old and this had a profound impact on Gladys. As the eldest child, she assumed and continued to carry out the role of caretaker to others, most of her life. Her immediate and extended family remained incredibly important to her. Gladys was a very self-reliant and independent person who championed the underdog and showed kindness and generosity to all.
After her marriage to Jack in 1953 she became very involved as a busy farm wife, yet still maintained a strong involvement in the larger community. Through the years, Gladys was an active member of the Kinettes, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Mosside Ladies, Co-op Guild, Royal Purple, St. Mary Abbots Anglican Church and wasa 4-H leader. She had many hobbies and interests including oil painting, knitting and crocheting, sewing, gardening, card parties and was a wonderful baker. In 1975, she returned to work for her former employer, NADP, and she loved this job. She got to interact with so many farm families who became friends and as a bonus, a large, varied supply of ice cream was readily available for purchase – Gladys loved ice cream!
After retirement in 1985, Gladys continued with her involvement on the farm and took up golf and more volunteer activities. She was always busy and never afraid to try new things.
Over the last ten years dementia robbed Gladys of her independence, yet she remained a very determined woman who never failed to show love for her family and appreciation to those who were so kind to her. She had an indelible spirit and leaves her family with an enduring legacy.
A private interment service will be held at St. Aidan’s Church, Glenreagh and a public memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Please visit Rose Garden Chapel website for updated Service information.
Memorial tributes are gratefully accepted to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta; St. Aidan’s Glenreagh/Bloomsbury Church (no tax receipt available), or the charity of your choice.
