It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother, Gladys Louise Anderson, on Monday September 7th. She was 67 years young.
Gladys was born in Glace Bay Nova Scotia where she was one of 11 children. In 1974 she moved west to Ucluelet ,Vancouver Island with her first daughter, Gloria. A short time later she remarried and had two more children, Sybil and Drew. Gladys and Lawrence bought a home and settled in Beachcomber Nanoose Bay.
Gladys went back to school and took the Office Administrative course, which for her was like a duck to water. Gladys had a mind for numbers. She joined and became a member of the Parksville Fish and game club. Like most things she tried in her life she became an excellent marksman in no time. Later in life she happily settled in and did bookkeeping work from home. She enjoyed summers on the boat with her family. Gladys loved to spend time with her three young grandsons and had many backyard adventures with them.
Upon her diagnosis her focus became fighting this disease, and living life as best she could. She was able to enjoy her first Cruise to Alaska, and visits to the East Coast seeing all of her relatives, this brought her great joy.
Gladys fought a short, but fierce battle with Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer. We were forbidden by her to say “She died peacefully“ or “Passed in her sleep”, because she didn’t. Determined to fight for each day, each hour, each breath. She battled to stay with us all for as long as she could. All those who know and love her, knew this spark and heart. Gladys wasn’t going anywhere without a fight. The only peace we are left with is she’s now in heaven with her loved ones she’s lost.
Gladys was pre-deceased by her parents Edward and Francis Coffin, brother Greg, and husband Lawrence.
Survived by Daughters Gloria (Ivan) Sybil (Ian) and Son Drew (Kate).
Grandchildren Trentin (Kellee), Tyra, Marshall, Eric and Barrett.
Great-Granddaughter, Payten-Rose.
She will be deeply missed by her friends Joy, Denise, Glacia, Nancy, Anne, Karen, Elaine, Monty, Gill , and many others.
Because of Covid restrictions a private Memorial will be held at Yates Memorial Services Parksville.
Please consider a donation to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Palliative Care Unit in her name.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff there for their care and compassion. Dr. Kevin, Vi, Emma, Jennifer, Deborah, Annabel and Wendy and many others who took such good care of her through all the challenges with her case, you are special people.
Lives Cherished and Celebrated