GLADYS MARGUERITE PHILLIPS SMITH
Born: April 20th, 1927
Passed in: SYDNEY
Passed on: June 3rd, 2017
The Smith family regrets to announce the passing of our mother, Gladys Marguerite Phillips Smith, on June 3, 2017 at the AN CALA unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Gladys, born April 20, 1927 was the daughter of the late Gilbert Lloyd and Dorothy (Willmot) Phillips of South Street in Glace Bay. For our mother, her family was always her first priority. She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Arthur Kendall Smith. She is survived by her beloved children, Sheila Marie (David) Latham of Toronto, Sylvia Jean (Jeannie) Smith at home, Mora Diane (Jerry Murphy) Smith of Glace Bay and Angus James Smith at home. She loved nothing better than the many experiences/adventures she shared with her five grandchildren as they matured: sleepovers in Glace Bay and Mira, the pick-up and delivery services to and from school, band and school concerts, music festivals and the entertaining stories of escapades, Sarah Jean (Ryan) Murphy-Boutilier, Kendall James (Jessica) Murphy and Catherine Ellen (Chad Gillard) Murphy of Glace Bay, Gilbert Taylor (Rachel) Smith of Fredericton and Emily Margaret Smith of Halifax. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Zachary Ryan Boutlier, Noah Edison Boutlier, Jacob Vincent Boutlier, Matthew James Boutlier, Hannah Elizabeth Murphy, Nora Eloise Gillard, and Owen Thomas Gillard.
Despite the separation of the miles, Gladys maintained close bonds with her brother, Joseph Lloyd (Irene-deceased) Phillips of Scarborough, Ont.; Rene Frances (Foster-deceased) Howe of Mississauga, Ont; Dorothy Ann (Neville) Harriss of Bedford, N.S., and her late sister, June Willmot (Oliver-deceased) Norris-Elye of Winnipeg, Man. She is also survived by twelve nieces and nephews. Gladys was a proud graduate of the Glace Bay General Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1949; and of Nursing Administration at Dalhousie University. She joined the staff of the General Hospital in 1957, where she worked as a Nursing Supervisor for several years, then served as Director of Nursing from June 1963 until her retirement in 1992. She was a Life Member of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (CRNNS), serving in many capacities through the years, including as President of the Association. In the spring of 2010, she was presented with the Centennial Award of Distinction by the CRNNS. She loved the career she had in nursing, her co-workers, and the many good friends she made locally and across this country.
From her early youth through her senior years she loved the Mira River and its beauty. As an adult she enjoyed immensely the family cottage at Mira Gut. The family dogs featured largely in her life and leisure time, much of which was spent reading voraciously, listening to music, and going for leisurely drives. At Gladys’ request, there will be no public service. Arrangements will be made for a private family memorial service with internment of ashes in the Mira Bay Baptist Cemetery. Memorial donations will be gratefully received and may be made to the Glace Bay General Hospital Charitable Foundation or to a charity of choice. Online condolences can be sent to www.pattenfuneral.com.
