Gladys Irene Smith

Gladys Irene Smith passed away Saturday evening, April 1, 2017 embraced in the loving arms of her daughters. Gladys was born December 24, 1923, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada to Ambrose and Annie French. She is reunited with her husband of 63 years, John F. (Jack) Smith, whom she married on June 26, 1943.     Gladys and Jack moved to the United States in 1950, and settled in Bowling Green Ohio in 1960, where she became an active member of Greenwood Chapter No. 159 of the Order of Eastern Star. She served four terms as Worthy Matron; the first with Jack as her Worthy Patron, and the last with her son Larry, as Worthy Patron. She was also appointed a page to the Deputy Grand Matron of Ohio, and the Grand Representative of Virginia in Ohio. Gladys became a Life Member of the OES in 1997 by a unanimous ballot and was awarded a 50-year member pin. Gladys and Jack traveled not only all over Ohio, but throughout the country and Canada to visit Eastern Star chapters and made many valuable and lasting friendships along the way.   Gladys worked for 20 years as a travel agent at the American Automobile Association on Wooster Ave. She assisted members of the AAA in their travels all over the world. She often lead small travel groups on cruises and tours of the United States and foreign locations throughout the world.   Gladys was an active member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Bowling Green, Ohio until she moved to Florida in 2010. She maintained friendships and communication through correspondence, bulletins, and monthly newsletters. Gladys was also a well-loved member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Green Cove Springs, Florida. She enjoyed visiting with her many friends and the beautiful views of the St. Johns River from this historical chapel.   Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Annie and Ambrose French, and her son, Wayne Alexander Smith. Her husband Jack passed away in 2006.   She is survived by her brother Ronald (Muriel) of St. Catharines, and her son Larry Smith (Barb) of Fostoria, and her daughters: Linda Briggle (Tom), Judy Lashaway (John), and Cindy Sease (Stephen) all living in Florida. She is also survived by 9 Grandchildren, 12 Great-Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews all of whom she enjoyed immensely.   Services will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Green Cove Springs, Florida, on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with The Rev. Celeste R. Tisdelle.   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Church, 1505 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green, Ohio, or St. Mary’s Church, 400 St. John’s Ave., Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043.