Gladys was born in Marquis, Saskatchewan to Bert and Hattie May Beamish on July 21, 1912 and was the eldest child of a family of 8. In 1936 during the depression, the family moved to Edgewater where Gladys and her husband Fergie were married and farmed for 20 years. In 1957 they moved to Radium Hot Springs where they worked and continued to raise their four children. In 1983 Gladys moved to Invermere where she continued to reside until she passed away at Columbia House in Invermere on January 25, 2012 at 99 1/2 years of age.
Gladys was involved in many community organizations over the years; Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Canadian Legions (Edgewater & Invermere) Radium and Invermere Seniors. She attended the Seniors’ Games several times and competed in floor curling. She loved to travel and took several bus trips cruises and train trips across Canada, but her favourite trips were to Reno to gamble. She was known for her terrific sense of humour and as a family we often shared “belly” laughs. She enjoyed watching her family participate in sports such as baseball and curling. Gladys liked nothing better than playing bingo or playing cards with her grandchildren and friends.
She is survived by 4 children: Bev (John) Crozier, Terry (Doris) Ferguson, Jackie (Mel) Thesen and Thora (Mel) Casey; 9 grandchildren: Troy (Gail) Ferguson, Kari Benum, Scott Boker, Mike Boker, Adrian (Kim) Casey, Tasha Casey, Ricky (Terah) Thesen, Randy (Bre) Thesen, Sean (Stephanie) Crozier; 12 great grandchildren: Lexi, Aric, Corbin, Jeremy, Courtenay, Chance, Rayden, Alaynah, Dade, Kai, Lauren, and Ryan; 1 great, great grandson: Hayden; 2 sisters: Carrie Johnson and Yvonne (Allen) Ramage as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Gordon Ferguson, granddaughter Kym Boker, her parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
A Celebration of Gladys’ life will be held at Christ Church Trinity on May 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm. Her Interment will be in the Edgewater Cemetery. Memorial Donations in her memory can be made to the: Canadian Diabetes Association, PO Box 12013 Stn BRM B, Toronto, Ontario, M7Y 2L3 or the Salvation Army, 533 – Slater Road NW, Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 4Y5.
Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com