Gladys Genevieve Bridge

1921 - 2017

Gladys Genevieve Bridge July 5, 1921 - January 2, 2017 San Diego Gladys Bridge was born Gladys Genevieve Lormor in Pomona, California on July 5, 1921. As a young child, she always assumed that fireworks on the 4th were in celebration of her birthday. She was not fond of her middle name and was called "happy bottom" for her first name later to be known and loved by many as "Happy". She died January 2, 2017 at the age of 95, having lived a "happy" and fulfilling life. She is survived by her daughter Cathleen Bridge Merhar (Elliot), son Stephen Stewart Bridge, M.D. (Renee), son William Hugh Bridge, and granddaughter Lee Chandos Bridge. In 1943 she married George Emlen Scott and became known to many has "Scotty". She was widowed in November 1944 when George was killed during World War II's Battle of the Bulge. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1945 and went on to receive her Social Work Degree from the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Southern California in 1946. Shortly after graduating, she began working at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. While on a double date she met Robert "Bob" Andrew Chandos Bridge. Theirs was a whirl-wind romance marrying three weeks later before he shipped out to Eniwetok. A marriage that lasted 51 years when Bob preceded in her death on June 3, 1999. But a romance that lasted a lifetime. During their marriage, she worked as a Case Worker for agencies serving the needs of children in Honolulu, Hawaii, and in Oakland and San Francisco, California. Later, she worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker in various military hospitals as an employee of the American Red Cross. She and Bob settled in San Diego in 1952. When they adopted the first of their three children, she stopped her career. But moss did not grow under her feet. Still wanting to stay active in and serve her community she became a volunteer helping to found the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, Trojan League Associates of San Diego, and Makua (originally an Auxiliary to the Children's Home Society). She was Past-President of the Medical Auxiliary, Trojan League Associates of San Diego, and Assembly (Point Loma Assembly). She was active in the Juniors of Social Service Auxiliary and the Social Service Auxiliary. She served on the Boards of the American Cancer Society San Diego, the San Diego Children's Home Society and on the San Diego County Adoption Advisory Board. From 1977-1978 she served on the San Diego County Grand Jury. She enjoyed creative writing and in addition to membership in Aegis, a writing group, she edited for several years the monthly newsletters of the San Diego County Medical Auxiliary, Mission Bay Yacht Club, and La Jolla Country Club. She loved sports. She enjoyed and became proficient in waterskiing, sailing and golf. For ten years, she and Bob belonged to the American Sailing Team which competed against the Mexican Sailing Team annually alternating competition in Mexico and at southern California yacht clubs. Golf became her passion. As a member of La Jolla Country Club from 1952 to present, she enjoyed her passion into her 90s. Later she could be found playing Bridge in the Women's Lounge. She served the Club as President of the Women's Golf Association and on the Membership, Golf Activities, Greens, and Long Range Planning Committees. In 1990, Bob surrendered his equity membership so that she could become the Club's first female board member since its opening in 1927 a position she held for three years. Roses in her garden were her pride and joy. Many passersby commented on their beauty. She came to be known as the "rose lady" of Mission Bay. She shared her love of gardening with others in the Village Garden Club of La Jolla where she was very active on the Jacaranda Tree Project Committee. Her children will have a tree planted in her honor. She frequently said she was "greatly blessed". She had children with whom she stayed close and of whom she was very proud, a wonderful fun and loving husband in Bob and the joy of travelling a lot. She loved being in different cultures, loved seeing historic places and most especially enjoyed her golfing trips to famous and not-so-famous courses. Life was good!!! Her family wishes to thank the in-home hospice care providers of Vitas Healthcare and Patty Beraza caregiver extraordinaire. Per her wishes, there will be no services. A remembrance may be sent to Scripps Mercy Hospital Foundation 4077 Fifth Avenue, MER-42 San Diego, CA 92103 or to American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of Gift Processing 3950 Calle Fortunada San Diego, CA 92123, or to a charity of your choice.