Obituary for Gladys Evelyn Barton (Whitnack)
GLADYS EVELYN BARTON
August 21, 1933 - November 17, 2023
Peacefully, at the age of 90, while holding the hand of her husband of 72 years, our beloved mother, Gladys, affectionately known as "GG" (great-grandma), passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, November 17, 2023.
Gladys will be greatly missed by her husband, Lawrence; her five children, Charlene Rocke, Pamela Walford, Darryl, Mary and Gerry Barton; nine grandchildren, Natalie Rocke, Damian Rocke (Jillian), Ethan Rocke (Tracy), Lindy Rocke, Tyrone Walford (Catherine), Rhett Walford, Julie, Lisa and Damon Barton; and 13 great-grandchildren, Ben, Wyatt, Owen, Emmet, Oliver, Ellis, Mya, Addison, Brynn, Huxley, Weston, Hendrix and Madaxx, and extended family abroad.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Minnie Belle and Clarence Whitnack; 13 siblings, Warren, Edna, Edith, Albert, Robert, Edward, Willis, Emily, Clarence, Ben, Tom, Jack; and son-in-law, Alva Rocke.
Mom's bubbly personality, quick wit, kind heart and gentle spirit made her popular wherever she went. Born in Hemaruka, Alberta and raised on a farm, in her younger years she lovingly cared for her bed-ridden mother's daily needs. Mom loved riding horses and country music.
At 16, she moved to Lloydminster, Alberta to live with her oldest sister, Edna, who was like a mother to her and whose children were like siblings. Gladys took a secretarial arts course at Reeves Business College, then moved to Vermillion to work at a bank. A handsome young man named Lawrence happened to be working at this same bank, and they married in 1951. After a decade in Grand Prairie, Alberta, where mom converted to Catholicism, sang in the church choir and dabbled in theatre, landing a small speaking role in The Death and Life of Sneaky Finch, our parents settled in Winnipeg in 1967. A classy dresser who always looked her best, mom worked at the Kirkfield Hotel, BMO, and the Winnipeg Municipal Hospitals where she spent the majority of her career and was the life of the office.
A woman of many talents, mom was an excellent seamstress, wonderful cook, creative problem solver, and in her later years took up painting, winning 1st place in her category at the Civic Centre Show in 1986. Her latent skill in interior design emerged when she completely redesigned her kitchen later in life.
Mom had a strong faith and served with the Catholic Women's League in Winnipeg for many years.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 29, 1:30 p.m., Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. 204-832-7175.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba.
August 21, 1933 - November 17, 2023
Peacefully, at the age of 90, while holding the hand of her husband of 72 years, our beloved mother, Gladys, affectionately known as "GG" (great-grandma), passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, November 17, 2023.
Gladys will be greatly missed by her husband, Lawrence; her five children, Charlene Rocke, Pamela Walford, Darryl, Mary and Gerry Barton; nine grandchildren, Natalie Rocke, Damian Rocke (Jillian), Ethan Rocke (Tracy), Lindy Rocke, Tyrone Walford (Catherine), Rhett Walford, Julie, Lisa and Damon Barton; and 13 great-grandchildren, Ben, Wyatt, Owen, Emmet, Oliver, Ellis, Mya, Addison, Brynn, Huxley, Weston, Hendrix and Madaxx, and extended family abroad.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Minnie Belle and Clarence Whitnack; 13 siblings, Warren, Edna, Edith, Albert, Robert, Edward, Willis, Emily, Clarence, Ben, Tom, Jack; and son-in-law, Alva Rocke.
Mom's bubbly personality, quick wit, kind heart and gentle spirit made her popular wherever she went. Born in Hemaruka, Alberta and raised on a farm, in her younger years she lovingly cared for her bed-ridden mother's daily needs. Mom loved riding horses and country music.
At 16, she moved to Lloydminster, Alberta to live with her oldest sister, Edna, who was like a mother to her and whose children were like siblings. Gladys took a secretarial arts course at Reeves Business College, then moved to Vermillion to work at a bank. A handsome young man named Lawrence happened to be working at this same bank, and they married in 1951. After a decade in Grand Prairie, Alberta, where mom converted to Catholicism, sang in the church choir and dabbled in theatre, landing a small speaking role in The Death and Life of Sneaky Finch, our parents settled in Winnipeg in 1967. A classy dresser who always looked her best, mom worked at the Kirkfield Hotel, BMO, and the Winnipeg Municipal Hospitals where she spent the majority of her career and was the life of the office.
A woman of many talents, mom was an excellent seamstress, wonderful cook, creative problem solver, and in her later years took up painting, winning 1st place in her category at the Civic Centre Show in 1986. Her latent skill in interior design emerged when she completely redesigned her kitchen later in life.
Mom had a strong faith and served with the Catholic Women's League in Winnipeg for many years.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 29, 1:30 p.m., Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. 204-832-7175.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba.