Obituary of Gladys Roach

Gladys Jane Harnum Roach Gladys Jane Roach was born August 31, 1947 in Dildo, Newfoundland to her parents James and Bertha Harnum. She passed away Sunday, August 7, 2016 in Camrose, Alberta at the age of 68. Gladys was predeceased by her husband Joe on December 23, 2015, mom Bertha on August 22, 1995, father James on May 28, 1996, sister-in-law Ruby, and as Mom would say, poor Tara. Mom was very proud of the fact that they came from a huge, happy, blessed family. She feared her death or a sibling's, for the family chain will be broken. She met Joe Roach June 7, 1964. They had three girls, Denise in 1966, June in 1968, and Joanne in 1974. Mom and Dad married in 1974. Gladys spent most of her life as a homemaker. She loved cooking, baking, gardening, knitting and found peace in her later years scrapbooking. Mom was an outstanding mother. She would go without in order to make sure we had. She was a very loving and loyal wife, had a heart of gold as Dad would say. She always said it is not how big the house is, it's how happy the home is. Her strongest characteristic was her stubbornness as she admitted in later years she inherited from her father. Mom loved her parents like no other. She found hope and faith that she would be going home to them. She strongly felt that she could talk to God from her house and didn't have to go to His. I asked why she didn't go to church, her reply was "I didn't do anything wrong." Mom always said everything happens for a reason. I am only realizing this now. She would say when there's an up, there's a down. Everything comes in threes. She believed that if it looked too good to be true, it generally was. Mom loved the simple life. She felt that as long as there was food in the cupboard and all bills were paid, her heart was content. Her favorite colour was red. She loved butterflies, hummingbirds, flowers, cherubs, elephants and dogs, all animals no matter how big or small. We all know how much I would love to say it was me, but her dog was her most precious possession. I truly believe she is reunited with all of her precious fur babies now. Her love for animals was heart-warming and you know she felt fulfilled. Mom loved with all her heart. Every sister and brother indeed, her in-laws were just as important, and she treasured her nieces and nephews. Us three girls were her life, and Dad at times her rock. We all know her greatest joy was all of her grandkids. She always said "I treat all the same, but Tyler, you're #1". Even though Mom loved with all her heart, she had trouble accepting people loving her back. Her biggest fear was dying alone. She had a dream for over 20 years, she's going into a dark scary cave all alone. Rick asked her in the last while if she had ever turned around in her dream, she said no. He told her that if she ever did she would see all of us, our hearts are full. Mom was robbed of her happiness in 1974 by heart disease. At this time she chose to listen to the doctors instead of her heart. Rick and I would always tell her that the glass is half full and not half empty. She always lived her life on borrowed time. What I can reassure you is she made her last day count. Mom, my biggest fear in life was to have to say good-bye. Please know because you found peace I know this is no longer true. Mom left Newfoundland, she did love the west. Now she gets to come home to only the best. She is proof that you can live through hell and hold onto charred wings. Keep your heart and soul of an angel and still wear a halo on the ashes that remain. Love you Mom. Left to cherish her memory are her children Joanne (Rick) Jessup of Camrose, Denise (George) Carl of Innisfil, Ontario, and June (Andy) Meisner of Fort Saskatchewan; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; 28 nieces and nephews; brothers Norm (Alice) Harnum of Newfoundland, Alf (Hilda) Harnum of Newfoundland, Lewis (Diane) Harnum of Newfoundland, Ray (Ruthie) Harnum of Frankford, Ontario, Charles Harnum of Newfoundland, Cliff (Brenda) Harnum of Newfoundland, and Winston Harnum of Newfoundland; and sisters Elsie (Tom) Smith of Newfoundland, Marjorie (Roger) Thorne of Newfoundland, Lilian (Aubrey) March of Newfoundland, Josephine (Jerry) Reid of Newfoundland, Nancy (Ken) Reid of Newfoundland, and Alice (Hayward) Reid of Newfoundland. Gladys was predeceased by her husband Joseph, parents James and Bertha Harnum, sister-in-law Ruby Harnum, and niece Tara. An inurnment for Joe has taken place at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 13, 2016. An inurnment for Gladys has taken place at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, August 13, 2016 in the Dildo Cemetery. A joint Celebration of life was held at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 14, 2016 from the Loins Clud in Dildo, Newfoundland all family and friends are welcome to join. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Camrose Food Bank, or to the SPCA.