Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1920
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
Gladys Colborne Obituary
March 25, 1920 – January 14, 2020
The family sadly announces the death of Gladys Millicent Colborne on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the age of 99 years.
Gladys was born on March 25, 1920 in Parry Sound, Ontario to Walter and Mary Hamilton. She was raised in Norman outside of Capreol, Ontario and attended public and high school in Capreol. Gladys was an extremely bright student who graduated grade 13 at age 17. She had to wait a year before attending North Bay Normal School in 1938. Her first teaching position was in Armstrong, Ontario. She later taught in Sudbury, Sioux Lookout, Terrace Bay and Thunder Bay.
In 1942, Gladys married William Colborne, who she met in Armstrong while teaching there. They settled in Sioux Lookout where they taught school and raised their children. The family moved in 1958 to Terrace Bay and then to Port Arthur in 1964.
When Gladys moved to Thunder Bay she was able at last to attend University. She worked diligently, graduating first, with a B.A. and then an Honours B.A. in English, her Bachelor of Education and finally, a Masters Degree in Education. Gladys valued education and encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue academic goals.
She was a long-standing member of St. Paul's United Church in Thunder Bay. While she was able she participated and volunteered with the Lakehead University Alumni Association and the 55+ Centre.
She was able to remain in her home on Juniper Drive well into her 90s. In recent years she has resided at Glacier Ridge.
She is survived by her children William (Carol) Colborne of Nanaimo, BC, Donald (Donna) Colborne of Victoria, BC and Jane (Roy) Dawson of Dauphin, MB. Also surviving are her grandchildren upon whom she made such an impression and benefited from her guidance, Daniel Colborne, Tara Hatch, Michael Colborne, Stephen Colborne, Andrew Dawson and Elizabeth Cancade. She had 6 great-grandchildren, Miranda, William and Rosalind Hatch, Alexander and Gregory Colborne and Rafael Cancade
Gladys was predeceased by her husband William Colborne in 1997, son Brian David in childhood and brothers George and Ross Hamilton; sister Jean Marquis.
Gladys was a proud, smart, strong, independent woman. She has left a huge void in our hearts and in our lives.
Funeral services for the late Mrs. Gladys Colborne will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 1:30pm in St. Paul's United Church with the Rev. Randy Boyd officiating. If friends so desire, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
everestofthunderbay.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gladys Colborne
Sponsored by Everest Of Thunder Bay.
7 Entries
Nancy, Gail and Clara (Gould) McDonald Thanksgiving 2018.
Gail Johnson
February 5, 2020
Hi William, Donald, Jane and family
Sorry for the loss of your mom. That's a beautiful picture of her. You will miss her dearly as I do my own mom who passed away September 17,2019 at the age of 89.Remembering you all in my thoughts and prayers.
I remember both of your parents. My dad and your dad played in the band and both the church and male choir. They also use to come visit us. I remember your dad coming over just after Christmas one year and showing Bobby Nancy and I how to talk with a puppet without opening
our mouths.(We are the Gould family.) My brother died in his early twenties and my dad died in 1981, about 5 years after my brother.
My mom got re-married and her second husband died 6 yrs, later. She was a real trooper and got into making crafts and selling them at the local fairs. She also became a professional clown with me and entertained with the Elks Klown Band at senior homes, parades, Nipigon Blueberry Blast and welcomed everyone who came to the Shrine Circus.
Nancy, my older sister is a professor at the University in Calgary. I was a Reporter for the Terrace Bay Schreiber News for 7 years but retired from the job in the summer of 2019.
Mom spent the last 8 years in Wilkes Terrace,
the senior Home attached to the local hospital.
She was friendly and her smile and good nature cheered others up.
My husband and I have been married for 44 years almost and moved here a yr after my mom moved to Wilkes Terrace with dementia. Her memory may have been gone but she expressed her love to us and knew who we were.( we did some renos but are living in the home I grew up in on Elizabeth Avenue.)
Thinking of you all. Sending hugs and best wishes Gail (Gould) Johnson
Would love to hear from you.
Gail Nancy and Clara (Gould) McDonald
Gail Johnson
February 5, 2020
January 22, 2020
Sincere condolences Jane and Roy.Tim Patola
January 22, 2020
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Janice Neelands
January 20, 2020
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Gladys. I had the privilege of sharing several meals with her recently when I visited my father at Glacier Ridge, as Gladys was his table-mate. Even at age 99, she was well-informed, well-spoken and sharp as a tack! It was a delight to meet her. I'm sorry for your loss.
Bonita & Erick Nystrom
January 18, 2020
We send our condolences for your loss. We lived across the street from Gladys and Bill for 25 years and they were the most wonderful people. We visited with Gladys a year and a half ago and we are so happy we did. She was as bright and talkative as ever, proudly showing us all the current pictures of her family. We will remember her as the most gracious and beautiful woman she was.
Karen Rooney
January 18, 2020
To the Colborne and Dawson families my sincere condolences for your loss. Gladys was a kind and gracious woman and I was blessed to have met her.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results