Obituary of Gladys Leah O'Donnell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gladys Leah O’Donnell at the Sussex Health Centre, after a brief illness on June 13^th, 2018 at the age of 85.

“Wow” turned upside down is Mom, that saying sure is true with our mother, Gladys Leah (Mason) O’Donnell was born October 15, 1932 in Carsonville, NB. Her parents were Medley and Jennie (Mason) Mason.  The youngest girl of the family of 11.  Gladys never finished high school as she was needed at home and boarded at houses in Sussex when she worked. She met a handsome older man when she was 18, who turned out to be her life partner, John O’Donnell. They raised 8 wonderful children: Doug, Marty, Danny, Medley, Cathy, Anne, Sharon and Patty.

Gladys stayed home to raise her children, not going back to work full time until Patty (the baby) was in school. She was a phenomenal cook and could make a meal from barely anything and if company showed up they were always welcome at her table, a cup of tea and conversation always. She also loved to knit and quilt. She went to work at Hughes Restaurant on Broad St. and gained a loved for waitressing. Uncle Fred’s, Dave’s Irving, Fairway and the Bluebird to name a few, she was became very attached to all the wonderful people that she met. She retired at 60 and her and John loved to travel around in their van. Camping, Martin Head, all around the north shore of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia were some of their favorite spots. Connie and Charlie Kendall and their family often accompanied them on these trips and a funny trip to Nova Scotia, where they got lost and saw the same spot over and over. Gladys and John also enjoyed their trips to Florida, out west and Bermuda.

She loved her country music which included seeing them in concert: Kenny and Dolly, Charlie Pride and Johnny Reid comes to mind. Gladys enjoyed her many grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved sit and rock a baby. She loved her flower gardens and to sit on the deck and watch the birds. Puzzles were her love later in years; as well as General Hospital and the Blue Jays and of course scratch tickets and bingo.

She will live on in the hearts of her children: Doug O’Donnell and his wife Beth of Apohaqui, Martin O’Donnell and his wife Sandra of Berwick, Danny O’Donnell and his wife Debbie of Berwick, Medley O’Donnell and his wife Helen of Berwick, Cathy McFarlane and her husband Stan of Waterford, Anne McCully and her husband Stan of Sussex, Sharon Pearson and Stephen of Sussex and Patty Manning and her husband John of Dutch Valley; her brothers: Warren Mason of Newtown, Dave Mason of Newtown and Dallas Mason of Manitoba; her sister, Ruth Goodman of British Columbia; her sisters-in-law, Eunice O’Donnell of Norton and Audrey O’Donnell of Kars; her grandchildren: Jeff, Colin, Justine, Jerrit (Lindsay), Johnny (Tara), Kyle, Caleb, Andrew (Darlene), Peter (Ellen), Chris (Ronda), Nick (Tanya), Terri, Ryan (Lisa), Rachel, Leah (Rob), Kelly (Mike), Emma (Jason), Jamie (Bobby) and Jennie; her great grandchildren: Matthew, Owen, Parker, Declan, Emily, Isaac, Alisha (Stephen), Dylan, Alexander, Alison, Kate, Carley, Johnny, Ivy-Rose and Michael; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends and caregivers.

She is predeceased by her parents: Medley and Jennie Mason; her husband John O’Donnell who passed away in 2015; her brothers: Reg Mason, Gerald Mason and Vaughn Mason; her sisters: Melba Anderson, Lola Hutchins and Velma Bowers; as well as her grandson, Bobby O’Donnell.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex NB (506-433-1176) from where visitation will be held on Sunday, June 17, 2018 from 1-3 and 6-8pm. 

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Gladys will be held from St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church on Monday, June 18, 2018 at 11am.

There will be a time of fellowship with the family in the church hall immediately following the service. The interment will take place in St. Phillip’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Millstream, NB.

For those who wish to make donations in memory of Gladys may be made to the memorial of the donor’s choice. Condolences to the family and donations may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com