Obituary of Gladys Ethel Shank

Obituary Gladys Ethel Shank passed away at the age of 92 on June 5, 2021. Gladys is survived by her three daughters, Connie Grassick, Jeri Adams, and Donna Alexander; her son-in-law, Rob Alexander; her grandchildren, Tracey (Jay) Arnold, Trina (Craig) Warren, Heath (Tracy) MacDonald, Michelle (Dino) Soucy, Paula (DJ) McLandress, Darren (Jono) Grassick, David (Roni) Alexander, Bobbie-Jo (Rob Larson) Alexander; her great grandchildren, Madison and Tyler Arnold, Zachary Warren, Megan and Colby MacDonald, Spencer Dupuis, Darcy Laidlaw, Shaydon (Sydney) and Becky Soucy, Karlee and Riley McLandress; her great great grandchildren Blakely Dupuis, Wyatt and Levi MacDonald, Peyton and Hadley Soucy, and Grayden, Landon, and Branson Alexander. Gladys was predeceased by her husband, Gerald Shank; her son-in-laws, Bill Grassick and Lorne Adams; her great great grandchild, Covin Dupuis; her parents, Ethel and Dave Armstrong; her siblings, Teddy, Shirley, Jim and Gordon. Gladys was born in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on October 12, 1928 to Ethel and Dave Armstrong. She married Gerald Shank on October 29, 1945 at the Church of St. Gabriel in Athabasca, Alberta. From there, Gladys and Gerald moved to High Prairie, Alberta where their three girls, Connie, Jeri and Donna, were born. In 1955, they moved their young family to Fort St. John. Gladys was a devoted, loving mother who selflessly dedicated her time to managing the household while Gerald was away for work. She put all her love into cooking, baking, gardening, and sewing, as well as nurturing and supporting her girls as they grew. Gladys always made her daughters beautiful matching outfits from the treasures she would find at the Thrift Store. Her creativity and talent always had her girls looking stylish. On top of keeping her family in beautiful outfits, Gladys also found time to sew countless skating costumes for her daughter Donna and other fellow skaters for all of their skating carnivals. Gladys also devoted countless hours and support to her Fort St. John Community. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League since its inception in Fort St. John; a Provincial Executive Member for the CNIB, as well. In 1978, she partnered up with her son-in-law Lorne Adams at Hometown Mobile Homes. Her secretarial, organizational and exceptional people skills contributed to a great partnership and successful business. When her husband Gerald wasn’t traveling for work as much, they together dedicated much of their time to the Flyers Hockey Organization. Retirement years saw Gladys and Gerald being very active members in the North Peace Seniors Society. They loved their curling, lawn bowling, playing cards, and socials at the Seniors Hall. Gladys loved spending time with her grandchildren. The love she had for each and every one of them was easy to see from the outside and a blessing for them to feel on the inside. She spent countless hours at hockey rinks, swimming pools, school gyms, and baseball fields supporting and cheering on her grandchildren. The absolute pride and adoration that Gladys had for her great and great great grandchildren was beyond describable. She felt truly blessed to get in some visits, their hugs and also see pictures and videos of their life events. Gladys, mom, grandma, great and great great grandma, aunty, friend...no matter what Gladys was to you, I know that you will truly miss her bright blue eyes, her rosy pink cheeks, her smile that truly warmed your heart, and her love that always made you feel special. Gladys would want us all to remember to laugh more, grow more flowers, and spend quality time with people who warm our hearts and make us feel special. “ A Garden of Love Grows in a Grandmother’s Heart” I love you, Grandma, For Always & Forever (Written by Granddaughter Bobbi Jo) Funeral service for Gladys will be held Friday, June 11, 2021 at 2:00pm. Please join the family by via live stream by CLICKING HERE Those wishing to make donations in Gladys' memory can do so to the CINB or the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation Peace Villa Fund. Services