Gladyce Stais Obituary

Gladyce Stais, 86

FALMOUTH - Gladyce Stais, 86, passed away peacefully on Oct. 11, 2017, in Scarborough, with her family nearby.

She was born Nov. 12, 1930, in Orrington, where her family had roots in the area dating back to the 1700s.

After graduating from Bangor High School, Gladyce earned a B.A. in Spanish at the University of Maine and a master's degree from the University of Iowa.

She landed a job in the modern language department at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., where her future husband, Jim, was department chair. The couple moved to western Massachusetts, where their sons Alec and Matt were born. Their next move was to Hempstead, N.Y., where Jim became head of the language department at Adelphi University, and their third son, Tony, was born.

After their sons went to school, Gladyce went back to her first love, teaching, working primarily at North Shore Junior and Senior High Schools. She taught Spanish and social studies.

Jim's sabbaticals provided many opportunities for adventure, including two summer road trips to Mexico and an eight-month tour of 20 European countries with their boys, then 8, 6 and 5.

After Jim passed away in 1984, Gladyce continued to teach and travel. In 1985, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study and travel in Peru. In her lifetime, she travelled to all seven continents and visited over 75 countries, including an African safari, an Antarctic expedition, hiking the Everest Trail in Nepal, and volunteering in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Bolivia.

After retiring in 1992, Gladyce moved to southern Maine, where she enjoyed a very full and active life. She loved the outdoors, and was an active golfer, hiker, and cross-country skier. Also, for years she put her prodigious language skills to good use teaching English to students in Portland's immigrant community.

Gladyce is also survived by her brother, Alan Baker, of Orrington; as well as daughters-in-law Elissa Burke, Kiersten Stais, and Marcie Holland; and granddaughters Elizabeth, Meredith, Shelby, Alexis, and Beatrix Stais; and many friends and colleagues.

Her independent mind, fierce spirit, kindness and generosity will be remembered and cherished by all those who knew and loved her.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Oct. 15, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Gladyce Stais

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14 Entries

Alix Pratt

January 1, 2024

I do very much miss Gladyce and her friend Bill! We did many fun activities in the South Portland area with them and over in New Hampshire, where we have a vacation home that Bill had helped us to renovate. We miss both of them a great deal!

Alix Pratt

December 31, 2023

I think of Gladyce every time I take a walk on the beach! She and I often did that, but when she was not up to a long walk, I would have long conversations with her on my cell phone! I miss her a lot!

Alix Pratt

October 18, 2023

I still think of Gladyce and Bill frequently and many reminders of them surround me. I still use some of her beautiful dishes and one room in my NH house was designed and built by Bill with input from Gladyce and me. I can´t go to a concert at PSO or walk on the beach without thinking of Gladyce. Gladyce was an important part of my life after retirement when my husband and I moved north and settled in Maine and New Hampshire. She was a dear friend and I miss her a lot.

Alix

October 9, 2022

I think of Gladyce and Bill every time we go to a PSO concert at Merrill Auditorium. They are so missed!

Alix Pratt

October 10, 2020

During these difficult times in our lives, I think about Gladyce frequently. So often when I am taking a walk on the beach, I want to call Gladyce and talk about the political situation in our country and about how COVID-19 is influencing our lives. So many of the things we loved to do together are not happening this year. Our favorite restaurants are closed and the symphony concerts are not happening. We can’t sit together up on the balcony in Merrill Auditorium and enjoy the music. Life is different, dear Gladyce. It is so sad that you and Bill are no longer around; we miss you both.

Bob Witham

October 21, 2017

I knew Gladyce through my wife, Carol, from our days on the West End. They were part of the "Book Group" and the "Walkers." Even as she was in her own journey with cancer in recent months, Gladyce continued her calls and visits as an ever present and supportive friend with Carol, who died on August 19. Her love and caring presence is remembered by me and my family with deep gratitude.

Dr. John F. Pappas

October 20, 2017

She was a fabulous person, and I am so glad to have known her. I met Mrs. Stais while at Bowdoin, through her son Tony. She was one of those rare individuals who left an impression, always positive, every time we were in the same company. She had a great sense of humor and was fiercely independent, and she always had a sense of purpose...she was determined to make the world a better place without losing sight of herself and her family..and wanting to have fun along the way. My condolences to her family, and especially to Alec, Matt and Tony, who were her heart. "May her memory be eternal"

October 19, 2017

Our thoughts are with the Stais families.

Connie and Dick Gourdeau

October 18, 2017

I met Gladyce when working at North Shore High School, Glen Head. So many fond memories of the many conversations we had.
Eileen Cowley

October 18, 2017

My fondest memories of Gladyce were from North Shore High School where we both taught social studies particularly what was then called Global Studies. it was a while ago. OK-ages ago. She was fun to work with and we shared many values and held similar political convictions. We also were travel buddies and spent parts of two consecutive summers visiting, Peru, and Bolivia one year, and Brazil and Argentina the next.

My partner Darrin and I even have fond memories helping her sell stuff, after she sold her home to relocate to Portland. I cherish the friendship we shared, and love even more now, the Indian statue she gave us.

jack sande Centerport, NY

Alix Pratt

October 17, 2017

I first met Gladyce when I moved to Maine in 2001. We had many adventures: book club, PSO concerts, dinners out, fun with Bob and Bill. I already miss her!

Katharyn LeDoux

October 16, 2017

I met Gladyce while driving her to some appointments. We found out we had shared a mutual friend. I will miss our conversations. She was such a wonderful person. My heartfelt sympathy to all her family and friends.

October 15, 2017

Love and prayers to all. Very fond memories , her laughter Will and always make me smile, she is a gem and I feel blessed to know her. PJ

October 15, 2017

Matt, Tony and Alec and Alan,

I have many fond memories of Gladys. She was interesting and fun. My thoughts are with you all during this sad time.
Love,
Jane Gamage

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