1909 - 2003
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Gladys. She emigrated to Canada in 1929. Having been trained as a nanny in England, her first positions were in that field. She later trained and became a practical nurse.
After her marriage to Percy George Williams, in 1939, she became a homemaker, specializing in food presentation and cake decoration. She eventually taught classes in this field. She became head chef at Ortana Barracks in Oakville, Ontario where she had to prepare banquets for the officers and Princess Mary, the Commander-in-chief.
Two years after the death of her first husband, she married Cecil Tompkins and they moved to White Rock. In White Rock, as well as nursing her husband until his death, she became a very active volunteer. She was a life Member of the White Rock Citizen's Activity Centre (Kent Street), The Senior Citizen's Association and the Old Age Pensioners Association. She won a Certificate of Merit from the Dept. of National Health and Welfare for "her significant contribution to improving the social well-being of her fellow Canadians". She spend countless hours as a Senior's Counsellor assisting seniors with their problems. She was also active in the Royal Purple (White Rock) Lodge 236.
For many years she cooked the Christmas Dinner held at First United Church, White Rock and until this past two years she assisted in the Friday luncheons at St. John's Presbyterian Church. Gladys has asked that there be no service and no flowers. Donations to wildlife protections and/or rehabilitation agencies may be made in her name.