Gladys Ruth Refakes

Gladys, a 70-year resident of Costa Mesa, passed away quietly in her sleep on February 24, 2022 at the age of 103. She was born in South Dakota, one of 3 children, and raised in small towns in the Midwest. Gladys moved to Chicago and was working in a bakery when she met and married her husband Peter. In the early 1950's, they moved to Southern California to be near her family eventually settling in Costa Mesa. Gladys liked Costa Mesa since it "was just like a small Midwestern town". Peter and a friend worked in a small café on 32nd Street in Newport Beach and later operated a larger restaurant at Norm's Landing near the fish cannery. A few years later, Gladys and her husband opened a small café in West Newport called Pete's Café. When her husband passed away in the early 1960's, she became a single mom running a small café in Newport Beach. After selling her business, she worked in the food industry as a manager, hostess, cashier and server at various restaurants in Orange County. In 1985, she retired from Howard Johnsons in Anaheim.
After retiring, she spent her time traveling and volunteering at various organizations. Gladys travelled throughout the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii as well as Canada and Mexico. She travelled to Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Gladys was also an avid reader who enjoyed working crossword puzzles. In addition, she was a home gardener who raised tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables in her backyard garden. She also enjoyed growing roses, amaryllis, orchids, plumerias and succulents in her flower garden.
For many years Gladys was a tireless volunteer in the City of Costa Mesa who received special recognition for her many hours of service. She served multiple terms as president of the Costa Mesa Senior Club and Costa Mesa Women's Club. She volunteered for many different organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Legion Post 455 pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners and Costa Mesa Senior Center. She was a long-time member of the Costa Mesa Historical Society who served on the board as Recording Secretary. Gladys was also a long-time member and volunteer of the Freedom Committee of Orange County. She was a fountain of knowledge on the history of early Costa Mesa and had many stories to tell. During the pandemic shutdown, she missed volunteering at the Costa Mesa Historical Society as well as the Freedom Committee meetings. Gladys, who had a wonderful sense of humor, will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Gladys is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Elizabeth, her brother Ralph Flamming and her niece Laurie Curtis. Her sister, Helen Marie Osteen, preceded her in death.
Gladys was buried next to her husband, in a private ceremony on March 11, 2022, at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 pm on April 23, 2022 in the chapel at Harbor Lawn-Mount Olive in Costa Mesa. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the American Cancer Society, Costa Mesa Historical Society and Freedom Committee of Orange County.