SAGEN, Gladys. It is with love and sadness that we announce the passing of Gladys Irene Sagen (nee Wilkinson), devoted wife, mother and grandmother, in the early evening of July 13/11 after having just celebrated her 92nd birthday a few days prior. She is predeceased by her father and mother, Harry and Mary Wilkinson, brothers Bert and Sid, and husband Gordon. She is survived by her brother Ralph, children Gary, Glenda (Doug) and Gloria (Jim), and grandchildren Kelly, Blake, Eric, Leslie and Shannon. Gladys was born on July 5, 1919 in Edgerton, Alberta. After a happy childhood on the farm in Edgerton, she moved to Edmonton, where she attended the University of Alberta, receiving her teacher’s degree; she taught school for several years and continued substitute teaching on and off throughout the years that followed. She married Gordon in 1943, her loving and devoted husband of 66 years, who she remained married to until his passing in 2009. Gladys was a generous, kind, considerate, and happy person. She was an avid bridge player who achieved Silver Life Master status in duplicate bridge, recognized by the American Contract Bridge League in 1993, a level of achievement enabling her to compete with the best players in the League. She also loved to square dance with Gordon. They spent many hours at the Legions in Alberta, British Columbia and Palm Springs dancing the evenings away. As well as the farm where she grew up, Palm Springs was another favourite place of hers, where she and Gordon had the good fortune of being able to spend 28 winters, a place where they welcomed family and friends to join them in enjoying the warm desert climate. The family would like to thank the staff of Westminster House for their compassionate care of Gladys, as they had also provided for Gordon. Gladys’ funeral service was held on Jul. 18/11 at Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gladys’ memory made to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated.
“Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear”