I write these words from our family in the U.K. so that Gladys may have the happiest of farewells
as is possible. My name is Gillian and with my husband Colin, son Simon and daughter Helen,
we have been hearing news of my aunt from Hazel Matic of the Catholic Charities, in West palm
Beach. Both my aunts - Georgina and Gladys chose to make their lives overseas , finally in West
Palm Beach , Florida.
Gladys Iris Lillian was born in London in 1928. She was the third daughter for Lizzie and Ernest
Baker, following Elizabeth (my mother) and Georgina. Lizzie Baker was the 4th child of 15. The
15th daughter was Evelyn who has two surviving children Christine (Munt) and Paul. These are
Gladys’s cousins who also have been kept in contact through the kind support by Hazel Matic.
Gladys grew up in London and experienced the harsh times of WW11. However she managed to
succeed at school and went on to Pitman’s College where she learnt her skills at shorthand and
typing, and general office and bookkeeping ready to become a secretary. Her initial position was
in Fleet Street working for the Daily Express newspaper.
Her greatest joy was in her ice-skating and she also played the piano.She had two life long friends
also based in London.
Following positions in Bowater Scott and other companies she went to the USA in the early
1960s. In Boston and Cape Cod, she worked for the Wellman Industries, eventually becoming
personal secretary to Mr Arthur Wellman in the 1980s. Gladys enjoyed travelling between
Boston and West Palm Beach as the family moved about.
After the death of Mr Wellman in 1987, Gladys continued to work for Mrs Gullan Wellman. She
remained her personal secretary through Mrs Wellmans marriage to Mr Ulf Albert in 1992. After his
wife’s death, Mr Ulf Albert continued to live in West Palm Beach and Gladys continued to work for
him until he died. At this point Gladys retired - in her 80s!
Gladys spent her leisure time with holidays and sightseeing trips. She visited Georgina in New
Zealand and always kept in touch with her two best friends and family in London. Her delight
was to perform with a ballroom dancing group, and together with her long time dancing partner -
Stan, won many medals and trophies in competitions around the USA. They had their picture on
“Time Magazine”. They excelled at Latin-American styles and Gladys’s wardrobe used to be full
of beautiful brightly coloured dresses and high heeled shoes!
Gladys travelled to London and spent time with Simon and Helen as they were growing up - and
on a family holiday in Cornwall. Colin and I , together with Simon and Helen, spent holiday times
with Gladys in Disney and Universal , Kennedy Space Centre, Florida Keys and the Everglades.
Helen also spent a week with Gladys visiting New York and Washington.
Gladys was able to attend both of their weddings in the early 2000s and stayed with us in our
house in Oxford.
Our last holiday in Florida with Gladys was in March 2019 when it was clear that health issues
were curtailing her life style. Gladys had been extremely upset by the sudden death of her
dancing partner - Stan. Her hearing was very poor and she relied on the good services of her
neighbours and especially Gurtzel Dixon, her housekeeper. We thank her very much for trying to
support Gladys to remain in her home, but her capacity for independent living had deteriorated
beyond our support too.
We were fortunate to obtain the services of the Catholic Charities in West Palm Beach who
undertook all the essential care for Gladys - including the placement in the Finnish-American
Care Home. As we were not able to make any arrangements from the U.K. all her care became
the responsibility of the Charities and their team of case managers. We would like to extend our
warmest gratitude to Hazel Matic for keeping all of us over here up to date with news and photos
of Gladys from the Care Home.
The funeral today is, we think, as Gladys would have wished. She had planned the funeral of her
sister Georgina and we are following these last wishes.
If possible we would love to hear rhythmical Latin-American dance music to accompany her last
journey as she had such a happy and fun-loving personality all through her life.
With our fondest memories,
Gillian and Colin, Simon and Helen.
27th May 2024. Sandhurst, Hampshire, England.
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