Obituary of Gladys Janet Speers

March 12, 1929 – Naicam, Saskatchewan

January 23, 2022 – Regina, Saskatchewan

Her family is sad to announce the passing of Gladys Janet Speers (nee Gudbranson) on January 23, 2022, at the age of 92 years.

Mom leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories for her children Debbie (Ken) Walters, Christie (Peter) Eby, Cari (Glen) Speers and Neil (Tracy) Speers; grandchildren Tery (Lindsay) Walters, Haley (Paul) Blackmore, Jssel (Brendan) Hysuik, Mason Blackmore, Hannah Speers and Sarah Speers; great grandchildren Andi Hysuik, Brayden Walters, Tessa Walters and Carter Hysuik; her lifelong friend and very loving sister Helen Kingdon; and extended family members.

Mom was first and foremost a very kind and helpful person, and did her best to instill these qualities in her children.  Family was everything for her and oh, how she loved her babies.  She was totally dedicated to her children, in turn to her grandchildren and then so loved her great grandchildren.  After the great grandchildren arrived, she affectionately became known to all as GG.

GG loved the sun and was always up for a trip to Hawaii or Mexico.  She never learned to swim, but would get on a boat or catamaran, would wade into the water and would ride a jet ski as passenger!

GG also loved to dance.  Whenever she heard a song she liked, she didn’t hesitate to jump up and dance.  We remember her getting all dressed up to go out for a night of dancing, complete with snazzy silver shoes.

She always took pride in her appearance and had a bit of a shoe habit, so GG was always up for a little shopping.  Once, in her later years, we expressed concern about wearing her out with too much shopping.  She declared that she could walk circles around the rest of us, and then proceeded to prove it at the mall!

Always happy with just soup and a sandwich for herself, cooking was not GG’s favorite task, but she kept us fed with Rice Krispie chicken, sweet and sour meatballs, lasagna and cabbage rolls.  She did love to bake, though, and OMG, how we will miss that - Norwegian specialties like Krumkake, Julekake and Icelandic Cake, not to mention her iconic no-bake cheesecake, thimble cookies, shortbread, butter tarts and apple pie.  Even with her pastry recipe, we have not yet replicated that apple pie!

Her life story would not be complete without mentioning that Mom had a successful, fulfilling career as a conscientious and caring Registered Nurse, after graduating from the Grey Nuns Hospital in 1957.  She nursed from 1957 to 1974 and again from 1980 until she retired at age 68.  From 1974 to 1980, Gladys worked as a partner at the family business, Speers Pet Shop (alongside her husband Lee until he passed away in 1978).  This is no doubt when her love for fur babies began and this love was extended to many family “puppers” throughout the years.

Mom lived a very healthy life and lived on her own until she was 90.  As happens with aging, she then needed a little help and moved into the Selo Gardens PCH!  We want to thank all the staff at Selo for looking after our Mom so well over these last very difficult years (re Covid). You treated her like family and that meant the world to us.  Special thanks as well for the support you provided to all of us!

Mom, you more than accomplished your primary goal in life - to raise a family where everyone knew they were loved.  We will think of you every day, every Christmas and birthday, on every beach, every time we watch a ball game, every time we wear one of your knitted scarves, and will toast you with paralyzers at family gatherings.  We miss you already but are grateful that you are now at peace.

Gladys was preceded in death by her father Gunnar Gudbranson, her husband (Robert) Lee Speers, mother-in-law Christine Speers, and siblings Norma Megaw, Hazel Worley, Carl Gudbranson and Ina Gullacher.

A private celebration of GG’s life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Selo Gardens PCH, 1110 McNiven Avenue, Regina, SK, S4S 7H2 or a charity of your choice.