Phil has kindly made the eulogy he wrote for his mother’s funeral available for us all to read.
The most difficult part of writing an Eulogy for a 96 year old is where to begin. Gladys was born in 1924 in Birmingham (New John St, Aston) the only daughter of Nellie and Alfred Day. She has 3 brothers, two older and one younger. They moved to Worcester when Gladys was aged 4 to a place where Mum always had happy memories of long hot summers where they used to play as children. The house, although still standing, has changed dramatically over the years. A short drive around the area some years ago ago now, brought so many memories flooding back for her and vivid pictures of who used to live where.
Glady’s left school at 14 years old and went to work part time at a Baby’s wear shop in Broad Street, called “Daniels”.. It was during this part of her life that her Dad became the licensee of a pub called “The Three Tuns” which used to be on the corner of Castle Street. Her day job was at the Ministry of Works and in the evening would help out behind the bar. Her mental arithmetic was always sharp and remained so throughout her life.
When war began in 1939 Gladys joined the Fire Service on the switchboard. It was there she met Horace who had been sent back from the front line due to an industrial injury , but who continued in his career as a skilled engineer helping to make ammunition and then working part time as a firefighter.
They married in 1944 and spent 62 years together. During their “Courting” years, they made many friends who became lifelong friends. They used to go dancing together at “Stews” in Silver Street. Horace was the life and soul of any party and was very well like by those that knew him.
They were blessed with two children, Sue and Phillip and they moved to their house that was to be their marital home for over 40 years in Grasmere Drive. It was only after Dad had taken ill with heart problems that they decided to move to the flat where their Mum stayed until recently. This was their own little space, with a lovely sunny garden and just enough outside space. Sue was sadly taken from us when she was just 60 years old and this had a huge impact on Gladys. In 2006 her husband passed away, which impacted her life further, but with the support of family and friends, Gladys was applied to grieve and get on with her life.
Mum would never fly abroad, but was very willing to do coach holidays to Spain and the Netherlands, to the Belgian Beer festivals. In their later years, they would come camping with Phillip and Jan to The Netherlands and always enjoyed the company of Johan and Martha (Jan’s parents). After her son in law Jan passed away, Gladys continued to travel to the Netherlands, until it became too much to travel such great distances.
Gladys enjoyed going to church at St Wulstans every sunday and getting involved in the many activities that they had such as being the sidesmen, Women’s fellowship, Coffee mornings, annual show committee and Gladys also sang in the women’s fellowship choir. Gladys was very consistent and remained vigilant in her attendance in all functions at St Wulstans church.
As these events stopped happening Gladys enjoyed more free time with her son, going on holiday to York, going out for meals and attending family engagements. Over the last 12 months Gladys has spent most of her time at home enjoying the floral arrangements in her garden, having visitors most days of the week and enjoying the occasional fish super on a Friday. During the last few months Glady’s relied on the relentless support of her son and close friends for help and support, which she appreciated right until the end.
Lockdown affected her badly especially as she could not have the visitors share has been used to. She relied on her carers and for contact with her Church friends. Her quality of life diminished and this had an adverse effect on her towards the end, that she almost pleaded to be able to go…
