Obituary of Gladys Mildred McNeillie

McNEILLIE: It is with great sorrow that the family of Gladys McNeillie announces her passing on Thursday, April 7, 2011. She was born on July 27, 1923 in St. Catherines, SK (west of Prince Albert), to Alexander and Flora Fidler. The first challenge in her life was her premature birth and throughout her life she faced many more, but she always exhibited amazing strength and determination. Growing up on a farm in the 20's and 30's was a hard life, especially being one of twelve children, but she recalled many very happy and humorous times with her family. She lived on the farm until moving to Flin Flon, MB, where she met George Stubodden. Because the war was on, many women were employed and Gladys worked at the HBM&S Mine during WWII. Gladys and George were married in 1943, and had a family of four; Fay, Joanne, Raymond and Eldon Johnny (who died at birth in 1956). Mom was very meticulous in her work ethic and also in her appearance, always looking so very nice. She will also be remembered for her love of dancing, even at home with the little ones. Mom's family was the centre of her life and the love she had for us was unconditional. The next phase of her life was after she moved to Brandon, and she was employed at the Brandon General Hospital. Here she met Alex McNeillie who was a bachelor, and when they married in 1987, he lovingly took on a ready-made family, and we all adored him. Mom is survived by her three children; Fay (Tony) Lekopoy of Lockport, MB, Joanne Butler of Elgin, MB, and Raymond Stubodden of Brandon; also eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; her sister Pearl Fieber of Kelowna, BC; sister-in-law Joyce Fidler of Brandon; brother-in-law Oscar Ottoson of Chilliwack, BC, and many nieces and nephews. Gladys was predeceased by her first husband, George; infant son Eldon Johnny; grandson Carl Anderson; son-in-law Bob Butler; and her soulmate Alex McNeillie. Cremation has taken place and her ashes are now with Alex's, they will be buried together at Rosewood Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank all who showed Mom kindness during the time she was so sick, especially Dr. Groves. At last she is without pain. We love you Mom. If friends so wish, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Room ON1160, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. For Mom...I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength and I watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living weight to the place of the destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when someone at my side said, "There, she's gone", there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices to the glad shout, "There, she's coming!" and such is dying.