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Towriss_Gladys

Gladys Towriss

Gladys Eliza (Heron) Towriss passed away at home on September 11, 2019, at the age of 106, watched over by family members who loved her dearly. Gladys was predeceased by her husband, Bill (1987); son, Robert (2016); parents, Matthew and Violet (Miller) Heron; step-mother, Margaret Heron; and siblings Hazel (Henry) Herman, Reg (Mary) Heron, Ed (May) Heron, Alvin (Anne) Heron, Elva (Karl) Wilde,  Marg  (Lew) Towriss  and Doreen (Don) Black. She leaves to mourn, daughters Sharon (Garnet) Williams, Moira Towriss - Smith(Hartley Smith) and Rosalie (Rene) Marcil, and  daughter-in-law Muriel Towriss.  She is further survived by grandchildren David (Kim), Williams, Scot (Marilyn) Williams, Robert Towriss, Nelson (Nicole) Towriss, Melissa (Andrew) Christoffersen, Conrad (Jasmine) Smith, Catherine (Warren) Stadnyk and Joshua (Rebecca) Marcil, and by 14 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gladys was born on August 13, 1913, and grew up on the family farm in the Wesley district north-west of Moose Jaw. When she finished elementary school, she moved to her Grandma Miller’s in Avonlea to complete Grades IX to XI, then to Moose Jaw to complete Grade XII – graduating from Central Collegiate in 1929, at the age of 16. In 1931-1932 Gladys went to Normal School in Moose Jaw, and over the next 6 years she taught at several one-room schools in southern Saskatchewan. In 1938 Gladys left her teaching career to marry William (Bill) Towriss.  They settled into their new home in the Mount Pleasant District east of Moose Jaw, and it was there that Sharon, Bob and Moira were born.  In 1949 they moved to a small ranch near Caron, where Rosalie was added to the family. In 1958, after 20 years of being a homemaker, Gladys went back teaching, while at the same time raising a family and taking University classes to upgrade her teaching certification. She taught at several rural and city schools, finally retiring from Lindale School in 1978. Gladys was raised in a family in which Bible reading and prayer were a daily ritual, and her faith sustained her through the ups and downs of life. She was an active member of St. Andrew’s Church in Caron, first as a Sunday School teacher, then as organist for over 30 years. After moving to Moose Jaw, she joined Zion United Church, where she was active in the UCW and Presbytery. In their retirement years Bill and Gladys enjoyed several special holidays, including trips to Florida, Hawaii and B.C.  Gladys served on the executive of the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan, Moose Jaw Chapter, and volunteered at the library helping children with reading difficulties.  Always physically active, she bowled in the Farmer’s League and enjoyed brisk walks outdoors until age 104. She loved flowers and was known for her “green thumb”. Most of all, she loved being with her family – especially delighting in the little ones. The family wishes to thank the “angels” from Home Care for the compassionate care and emotional support during the last three weeks of Gladys’ life. The Funeral Service will be held at Zion United Church on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 2:00 pm.  In recognition of Gladys’ life-long love of reading and learning, memorial donations may be made to CODE, a literacy agency she supported, 321 Chapel St. Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7Z2. In living memory of Gladys, a memorial tree planting will be made by Jones-Parkview Funeral Services. Please see our online book of condolences at www.parkviewfuneralchapel.ca and www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries). Blair Scott, Funeral Director.

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