Gladys Stillman

1920 - 2022

Long time North County resident Gladys Stillman, of Lake San Marcos passed away on November 14th at the age of 102. Gladys was born on July 4, 1920, in Merced, California to Alice Brude Ernst and Robert Ernst. She was the 3rd child to her older brother Charles (Chuck) and sister Marion (Mimi). She grew up in Los Angeles in the Masonic Home and came to Oceanside in 1938 to be with her extended family.
In 1942 Gladys married Earl E. Stillman in Oceanside. Earl was a pharmacist, and owned Stillman Drugs in Carlsbad during the 1950's. She spent her entire life in the North County of San Diego.
Gladys was a devout Christian and was a member of St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Carlsbad. Getting her five children to church on time was always an adventure. Her early life as an adult was that of a mother and friend to everyone both young and old. Fresh homemade bread, knitted sweaters and shawls were her gifts to her many friends and family.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband Earl E. Stillman (1964) youngest son John Ernst Stillman (1984), and daughter Martha Louse Stillman Miller (February 2022). She is survived by her children: Ed Stillman (wife Ruth Ann) of Austin Texas; Susan Stillman of San Marcos; and Steven R. Stillman (wife Janine) of Arroyo Grande; nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren who all loved her very much.
For the past 13 years, Gladys lived in Lake San Marcos close to her two daughters, Marty and Susan. Susan became her caregiver in 2014, and the two of them became very close during their time together.
A celebration will be planned for family and friends in the near future.