GLADYS
HELEN McNEILL
(THOROGOOD,
nee PRESTON)
March 3,
1915 – July 20, 2014
On Sunday, July 20, 2014, Gladys McNeill
passed away peacefully at Oakview Place at the age of 99 years.
Gladys was born in Winnipeg, in 1915, of
Scottish parents. She survived the Spanish influenza at the age of three, and
remembers seeing her father going off to the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919
(her mother told Mr. Preston to be careful). Her youngest son was born on
VE-Day. She connected us all to history and to ourselves in ways that textbooks
never could. Gladys challenged and
delighted us, and was still dancing around the dinner table as recently as last
year.
Gladys was a kind and loving lady who touched
the hearts of many and made lasting friendships and always had a positive
attitude. She was a long-time member of Patricia Chapter #8, Order of the
Eastern Star, and a member of the Sturgeon Creek United Church. Ray and Sandra
remember the great times at the cottage at Gull Lake with long-time friends, the
Gundrums. Following the death of Athol,
Gladys married Edward McNeill and spent a number of years wintering in Weslaco,
Texas. She lived in the Courts of St.
James and swam every day. She moved into
the Westhaven six years ago. Gladys
often ran down ten flights of stairs at lunchtime, faster than her
great-grandchildren, to avoid the ‘old people and their walkers’ in the
elevator—at the age of 97.
Gladys
was predeceased by her first husband, Athol Thorogood; and son Murray; and
second husband, Edward McNeill. She was
also predeceased by her four siblings, Doris, May, Edna, and James. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra
(William Bottle) of Winnipeg; and son, Raymond (Camilla Thorogood) of Tofino,
B.C. She is also survived by four
grandchildren, Barbara (Colin Steele), Ross (Bobbi Zimmer), Gaylene (Kevin
Gibbs), and Larissa (Jeff Rafuse); nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces;
nephews; cousins; and extended family.
A service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on
Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Drive,
St. James.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in
Gladys’ name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium,
2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665, in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Wojcik’s
FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
2157 PORTAGE AVENUE
204 - 897 - 4665
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
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