GLORIA JEAN GADD

Gloria Jean Gadd, 72, of 268 Fifth St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2001 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Marcia Felix, and her brother, Albert, Jr.; and leaves to mourn her husband, Bill; daughter, Catherine (Todd); son, Bill Jr. (Tanya); grandchildren, Jordan, Katelyn, and Joelle; and sister, Frances (Irving) Bird.
She also will be deeply missed by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Nadia Felix, Don (Gloria) Gadd, and Dorothy (Bryan) Pinkerton; and nephews and nieces, Randy and Cathy, Cheryl, Stephen, Tamara, Jocelyn, Brian, Brenda, Christy, and Joel, and their children.
Gloria was born to Albert and Marcia in Winnipeg, Man. on Feb. 9, 1938. The family moved to Fort Frances when she was an infant and grew to include her brother, Albert Jr., and sister, Frances.
In 1952, Gloria began her studies at Fort Frances High School, where she met Bill, who had accepted her invitation to the Sadie Hawkins dance and who went on to become her partner for life.
They married in 1958 and decided to remain in Fort Frances, where Gloria found work first at the TD Bank, then Western Grocers, until finally accepting employment in the accounts payable at Boise Cascade Ltd. (later Abitibi Consolidated), where she enjoyed the friendship of colleagues whom she sincerely respected.
An active member of the St. John’s A.C.W., Gloria’s commitment to her church and her St. John’s family was steadfast. As well, she volunteered as a treasurer for the Rainycrest Auxiliary and served as its representative on the Riverside Foundation for Health Care board.
Gloria found particular joy in her involvement with the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and would relate elaborately detailed accounts of the many activities, celebrations, and causes she shared with her “sisters.”
Whether it be the elaborately-themed holiday dinners or the fellowship of their home meetings, or the tender love and care they bestowed on her during her final days, they were always in her thoughts.
Gloria found joy in the simple pleasures involving family and friends. With motherly pride she followed her children’s and grandchildren’s achievements in all aspects of their lives—always trying to gain the best seat whether at music and drama festivals, school theatrical productions, or football games.
She always smiled the longest, clapped the loudest, and hugged the hardest—whatever the outcome.
Gloria and Bill loved to travel. After her retirement in 2001, they looked forward to their February “getaways” so they could enjoy the southern climates together and escape both the cold and any birthday celebrations we might have planned for her.
Indeed, Gloria would rather orchestrate and participate than be the focus of any event, but she did enjoy celebrating—just ask the “West-end Girls,” “Two Queens,” and “Birthday Bunch Ladies.”
Friends and family are invited to help celebrate Gloria’s life on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 at St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Wayne McIntosh officiating.
The service will be held at 3:30 p.m., with a luncheon to follow in the church auditorium.
Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be Derek McLean, Randy Bird, Stephen Felix, Luke Schill, Paul Ryan, Dave Hughes, and Dan Amorde.
The honourary pallbearers will be Nadia Felix, Marg Rousseau, Louise Chambers, Darlene Hughes, Gay Ryan, Doreen Tester, and her beloved Sorority Sisters.
Should family and friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to St. John’s Anglican Church or the Rainycrest Auxiliary c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
“Success” (as defined by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Gloria Gadd)
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.