Obituary of Gladys Marjorie Swedberg

GLADYS MARJORIE SWEDBERG August 6, 1931 - May 20, 2013 Gladys passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013. She was predeceased by her parents Edith and Douglas Howe; four siblings; daughter Patricia Ann and husband Orie Eugene. Gladys is survived by daughter Lorraine (Laurie) Hawrishok and Steve of Fredericton; son Douglas Swedberg and Donna of Regina; daughter Susan Swedberg-Kohli of Regina; daughter Joyce Bechard and Ken of Gray; daughter Sandra McCarther and Terry of Chicago; and daughter Shirley Selski and Darryl of Kamloops. 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren also mourn her passing. Gladys was born in Binscarth, Manitoba, the youngest of five children. She was orphaned early and from age eight was raised by her sisters and brothers. By age 14 she was living on her own and working in Winnipeg. She married at 17 and had the first of 7 children by the time she was 19. Life was not easy for Gladys. Money was always tight and sometimes non-existent. It is a testament to her resourcefulness and strong will that not one of her children recognized they were poor. Instead, they remember growing up with lots of laughter, games, music and the knowledge they could be whatever they wanted to be. As she told them, “if there was a will, there was a way.” Gladys was proud of obtaining her Grade 12 GED in the 1980’s, and enjoyed her various jobs in Regina, including switchboard operator at the Regina Police Department, clerk-typist at Regina City Hall, fast food restaurant manager and receptionist for a number of doctors. She enjoyed socializing with friends and family, and felt herself fortunate to travel throughout North America and abroad. She was an enthusiastic newshound and a regular listener of radio and TV news talk shows. She could, and did, discuss current events and debate public policy with anyone. She was an avid Rider fan and loved to watch curling and golf on TV. She loved crossword puzzles and had an in-family reputation as the “Scrabble Queen.” Gladys was one of the first occupants at Selo Gardens and called it home for more than 20 years. The last few years were difficult for Gladys as she saw her health decline and her mobility restricted. Throughout, however, she would always say she felt “blessed” because she had so much goodness in her life. Her family and friends will miss her terribly. A Memorial Service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Interment in Riverside Memorial Park. Special thanks to the nurses of ward 3D at the Pasqua Hospital whose care and compassion made it much easier for Gladys and her family. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in memory of Gladys may be made to the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, P.O. Box 1697, Regina, SK, S4P 3C6. (Please specify Pasqua Hospital, Unit 3D) To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com