Obituary of Frances Gladish

 

FRANCES (DEE) SPARKS HOLMES GLADISH

1930–2024

 

July 7, 1930 – October 28, 2024

 

Born and raised in St Paul, Minnesota, Dee died peacefully in her home on Monday, October 28, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida.  Dee had a kind and playful spirit and was one of the best listeners on the planet.  Dee had many roles in her life – daughter, sister, mother, friend, aunt, grandmother, social worker, minister’s wife - in all of these she brought joy, generosity, kindness, and wise counsel.  No one could spend more than five minutes with Dee without laughing and feeling better about any problem they may have had.  Stories of her humor and antics will live on for years.  For instance, the one about sneaking ice cream in to church under her choir robe! 

 

Having declared early on in life that she would never marry a minister, Dee surprised everyone, including herself when, in 1954, she married Leon Gladish, a minister.  She found him irresistible and a grand partnership was created.  Dee and Leon were full partners in their life of bringing religion and spirituality to their congregations.  They welcomed and accepted all, always understanding that there are many ways to experience faith.  In fact, on beautiful summer days, Dee would encourage the parishioners to stay home and work in their gardens on Sunday morning, being certain that God was there too.  Their ministries included the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul; Calvin Presbyterian Church in Long Lake, MN and Lamington Presbyterian Church in Bedminster, NJ. 

 

She graduated from the Summit School in St. Paul, MN, and Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA. While in NJ, (1965-1990) Dee served on many boards and earned an MSW at Keane College in 1980.  Dee was the school social worker for 15 years at the Midland School, a private school for children with learning and emotional challenges.  In 1990, Dee and Leon retired and returned to St. Paul, living in the house where Dee had grown up and reconnecting with longtime friends. They had many years of fun and travel.

 

Dee was extremely graceful as she moved into her 80’s and 90’s.  She moved to Florida at age 87, recognizing that things weren’t quite as they had been and it would be better for her to be closer to her daughter, Beth.  At 91 she once again realized a need for more assistance and moved to Assisted Living.  Through this last stage of her life, she appreciated the wonderful life she had had and was grateful to be content.  Her kind spirit and joyful presence was felt by all.  She started every day saying “This is the day the Lord has made.  Help me to live it well.”  Those who knew her felt she lived it very well indeed.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martha S. and Kenneth L. Holmes, her husband, Leon B. Gladish, and her daughter, Deborah Sparks Gladish. She is survived by her two children, Beth Davis (Richard) of Sanibel, FL and Kent Gladish (Heather) of Felton, DE; two grandsons, Andrew (Aubrey) and Brandyn Gladish; her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Paul Quie; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

 

Memorial donations may be made to the donor’s choice.

 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18 at the Elizabeth Chapel at House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN.