ALLAGASH – Gladys (Pelletier) O’Leary, 89, was taken into God’s hands to be with her beloved husband, Elbert, June 15, 2010, at a Bangor hospital. She was born Dec. 31, 1920, in Allagash, the daughter of Nizaire and Louise (Thibodeau) Pelletier. Gladys was well known for her cooking, quilting, knitting and was an avid reader. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother and grandmother. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than having a big family gathering. Her door was always open, the teapot was always ready and a lively game of cards or Scrabble would soon be underway. Her positive attitude and unconditional love enriched the lives of every family member and friend who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a woman of strong faith and her rosary was never far from her side. In her lifetime she held several positions that utilized her special cooking talents, including owning her restaurant, cooking for lumber camps, and cook and caretaker for International Paper Co. at Fourth Lake Musquacook. The family expresses special thanks to those who made her later years more comfortable. She is survived by her children, Faye and husband, Gene Hamm, of North Fort Myers, Fla., Lee O’Leary, John O’Leary and companion, Jen Kelly, and Mary and husband, Clayton Jackson, all of Allagash; her grandchildren, Sherry and husband, Dennis Vachon, Sandra and husband, Mike Olin, Carie and husband, Matt Wilson, Carmen and companion, Morgan, Kendal and wife, Autumn, Kevin, Corola, Kelly and wife, JoAnne, Corinna and companion, Darrell, Gwen and fiance, Lynn Woodward, Clay, Clint and wife, Miaja, and Manda and husband, Joseph Kelly; 18 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Faye Hafford and Albertine O’Leary; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Elbert Lee O’Leary Sr., Feb. 15, 2001; her parents, seven siblings; and a daughter-in-law, Dolores O’Leary. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m. until time of departure for Allagash Friday at Daigle Funeral Home, Fort Kent. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 1 p.m. Friday at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Allagash. Burial will be after at St Paul’s Catholic Cemetery. At the request of the family, donations in her memory may be made to Loving Hearts Ministries Meals for Elderly, care of Patricia Kelly, 317 Walker Brook Road, Allagash, ME 04774. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
GLADYS (PELLETIER) O’LEARY
