March 10, 1931 - June 14, 2020
It is with deep sadness that the family of Gladys Gorosh announces her passing at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on June 14, 2020, aged 89.
Survived by husband John, sister Edith Morris, brother John Morris, sons John (Cynthia), Paul (Mandy) and daughter Carol. She leaves granddaughters Taylor, Eden and Brei, grandson Steele, great-granddaughters Ella, Farryn, Chloe and great-grandson Christian. Predeceased by her father Fred Morris, mother Kay Peterson, brother Henry, sister Margaret, stepfather Clayton Peterson.
Gladys was born March 10, 1931, in a log farmhouse near Kelliher, Saskatchewan. Since the rural school she attended did not teach beyond Grade 8, she left the family farm at 13, to join her mother in Nanaimo, expressly to continue to Grade 12. She was a very motivated and keen student, and loved her years at John Shaw High School and the many lifelong friendships she made there. As a teenager working at her first job in the Hudson Bay Company store on Commercial Street, she caught the attention of a handsome young fireman, John. Their first date was skiing at Forbidden Plateau with a group of friends. They married in 1949. Their love for each other inspired many others throughout their lives.
Gladys applied great enthusiasm, endless energy and creativity to everything she did, whether it was her various jobs: manager at Northbrook Mall, (60's),where she persuaded the Harlem Globetrotters to drop by for a visit, her busy Ski Shop on Fitzwilliam Street, (70's-80's) where she delighted in fitting out whole families with used ski gear, Woodwards - Sporting Goods Dept. (80's) or secretary at Gorosh Cranes (50's-90's) or any of her other passions: swimming, snow skiing, water-skiing, travelling, entertaining, and boating with friends, especially the Wardill family, in their 40' Tollycraft, DixSea I. Together, she and John enjoyed many ski trips with the Bestwick family, to Grouse Mountain,(60's), Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood, Banff, and Whistler, where she skied until age 85. She loved the Port Theatre and especially the Symphony and Concert orchestras. Her memberships, past and present, include: Beta Sigma Phi, Eastern Star, St.Andrews United Church Choir, Nanaimo Yacht Club, Canadian Tollycruisers, the Chaine de Rotisseurs, and others. She will be sadly missed by her loving family, countless friends, and her wonderful Argyle neighbours.
The family plans to hold a celebration of our Mom's life at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A special thanks to the staff at NRGH, especially Dr. Hubner and nurses Paul, Missy, Megan, and Shelby, who provided great comfort to our Mom. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.firstmemorialnanaimo.com