Gladys L. (Clark) Louiz – 97 – of Addison, NY, died early Wednesday morning (July 26, 2017) at her home.
Born in Campbell, NY on October 15, 1919, she was the daughter of Charley & Carrie (Atwood) Gay.
Gladys grew up in Hormby, NY and was a graduate of Corning North Side High School (class of 1940).
She moved to Addison in 1941 and for about seven years served as a live-in helper & caregiver for a local family in Addison. In 1947 she began working for Singer Sewing Machine Company and for about 35 years served as a sales lady and also gave sewing lessons to customers. Gladys was later employed as a sales lady at JoAnn’s Fabrics at the Arnot Mall. She later was employed for five years as a seamstress at Halwigs in Corning and also at Cutler Carpet for over 20 years.
Gladys was a lifelong member of Addison Methodist Church where for many years she taught Sunday School. She also served as a member of the Church’s Board of Directors. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, gardening, playing cards (especially rummy) and was a member of the Corning VFW Auxiliary.
She was married in 1993 to John Louiz who died in 2003. She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Clifford Gay, Franklin Gay and Alvin Gay; 1 sister, Emily Draper; her grandson, Lemichael Clark; and also Joan Feasley.
Surviving are her son, Robert (Frances) Clark of Campbell; her daughter, Dawn Meeks of South Carolina; her grandchildren, Terri (Joe) Smith, Sharon (Gary) Mackley, Robert (Julie) Clark, James (Kristi) Clark, Jodi Clark, Jeremy (Rose) Clark, Rebecca (James) Kron, Jacob Meeks and Melissa (Jason) Mattison; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Clara Bliss, Dorothy Howe, Linda Wilson and Karen (Steve) Easter.
At Gladys’ request there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be celebrated at the Addison Methodist Church at a later date.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Gladys’ family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the Addison Volunteer Fire Department or the Addison Ambulance Department.
Grandma is and alway will be a very special person to all of us (children and many grandchildren). We were very fortunate to have her in our lives. Whether it was her teaching us how to sew or cook, or by having her attend school concerts or baking birthday cupcakes for our class birthday party- she made each of us feel special and loved. There are many things in life that I learned from her and have carried on into my own teachings with my own daughters. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten!
I love you very much!
We are all so lucky to have had her in our lives. My great grandma was such a loving, caring, passionate person. She lived such a long successful life and I hope I have an amazing life like her. I love you, great grandma.
My life and character have been shaped by many people. Among those people, Grandma was in the category: People Who Had The Most Impact/Role Models/Idols. She was one of the strongest, independent, and sometimes stubborn women I have met. She was an inspiration to me and many of my peers and cousins. Many of my favorite memories were of seeing her being smile when she saw me, when she shared stories from her life, teaching me how to sew, sharing her passion for gardening, traveling with her, and playing endless games of Rummy. I will always cherish the memories and life lessons I will carry with me. I will think of her every time I work in my flower gardens and when I am working on my Singer sewing machine.
This was my mother, the grandmother of my children, and great grandchildren.
To them I write this in regards to my mother.
Just when we learn the way to live in this what we call our lives, things change.
As in life events you may have a hundred reasons to cry, but then as we stand and share memories we find a thousand reasons to smile.
Strange how day by day nothing seems to change , but then we look back and everything is different.
It sometimes hurts more to hold on, letting go does not mean you don’t love. It means you have the strength through your memories to continue and this is what I want for all of you, and what mother would have wanted.
Mom/Nana
Dawn Meeks, Chester, SC