Marty Gladding

Marty Gladding (Mary Rose "Marty" Ward Kell) age 47, died Friday, October 17, 2003, of breast cancer. Mrs. Gladding was diagnosed in December of 2000 and consistently walked her cancer journey with optimism, faith and love. She was born in Topeka, Kansas on January 1, 1956, and was raised by her parents, Charles I. and Frances Ward in Cameron, Missouri. Mrs. Gladding attended St. Rita's Catholic School and Cameron High School. She graduated with combined B.S. and B.A. degrees from St. Mary University in Leavenworth, Kansas. During her college years, Mrs. Gladding taught piano lessons in an inner-city studio in Kansas City, Kansas, and her students won numerous awards at regional and state competitions. Upon graduation she relocated to St. Louis, MO where she began her career with IBM. Mrs. Gladding was a resident of St. Louis for 19 years. During that time she worked for IBM, Xerox, Davis & Geck, was the Branch Manager for Information Industries, Inc. and was involved in numerous community and school organizations. Mrs. Gladding was the proud mother of two daughters, Bethany Kell and Shannon Kell and was most active in their school events and activities. After her marriage in 1997 to Nicholas Gladding, she became a full-time homemaker and was dedicated to her family. After the family's relocation to Lakewood Ranch in 1999, Mrs. Gladding became a member of the Sarasota Junior League, was Volunteer Coordinator of the Braden River Middle School, the parent-coordinator for the Braden River Cheerleaders, a member and Secretary of the School Advisory Committee at Lakewood Ranch High School, a founding member of Renaissance at LRHS, member of the Parent Association and Athletics Booster Club, chairman of the SAC Graduation committee, a parent-member of the Sarasota Cotillion, and a member of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church. Mrs. Gladding also served on the St. Mary Alumni Board, and was involved in fund-raising for her alma-mater. Mrs. Gladding is survived by her husband, Nick Gladding, two daughters, Bethany and Shannon, both of the home, her mother, Mrs. Frances Ward, her brother, Joseph E. Ward, both of Cameron, MO, two nieces and 1 nephew, Laurie, Pamela and David Ward, and an aunt, Sister Maureen Writt of Leavenworth, KS. A private family memorial mass was held. Mrs. Gladding's celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2003, at 12 noon at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, Marty requested that memorial donations may be made to the Bethany Kell 529 College Account or the Shannon Kell 529 College Account. Please contact Michelle Rohl at Williams, Parker, Harrison Dietz and Getzen (941)366-4800 for details.