GLADYS WALPOLE

In her 88th year, Gladys Sarah Walpole (née Fitzgerald) passed away, with family by her side, on Feb. 2, 2025, after a brief, yet comfortable stay at the Huron Shores Hospice in Tiverton.
Gladys was predeceased by her husband, Glenn Campbell Walpole (1992); her parents, William Edward Fitzgerald and Sarah Fitzgerald (née Stanley); her siblings, Ethel ‘Iolene’ Bradley, William ‘Bill’ James Fitzgerald, Levi Edward Fitzgerald, and Orville Marwood Fitzgerald; as well as many brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Gladys is survived by her children: Franklin Edward Walpole (Deborah), and Glenda Iolene Walpole-Szabo (Joseph). She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren: Matthew Eldon Walpole (Colleen), Brent Levi Walpole Szabo (Lesley), Alyssa Margaret Walpole, Sarah Margaret Walpole Szabo, and Glenn Franklin Wilson Walpole (Catherine), and her great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Iris, and Henry. She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews.
Gladys attended Kincardine Public School and Kincardine High School. Her first job was at the Circle Bar during the summer. Once she completed her schooling, Gladys worked at the Kincardine Box Factory. Once married, she worked on the farm. After moving into town, she worked at Stan Emmerton’s Motel, the Knotty Pine, the Sunset restaurant and Quinn Florist.
Gladys took the most pride in her vocation as a Rural Mail Carrier. Gladys took over her father’s RR#4 mail route and worked that route in all kinds of weather for over 15 years. Some of Gladys’ earliest memories were going on the mail route with her dad. She used to stand on the front seat of the car to be able to reach and carefully place the mail in the boxes. She could recite all the names from the beginning to the end of the route.
Gladys enjoyed travelling with friends and family. She took many bus trips, cruises and road trips. Alaska and Ireland were favourites and she visited those locations multiple times.
Gladys loved music. She loved listening to country music, fiddle music, bag pipe tunes and Irish jigs. Gladys was very musical herself and played the piano, mandolin, Dobro guitar and harmonicas. She sang at, and attended, many jamborees until Covid. She also enjoyed gardening, spending time outside and volunteering at the Kincardine Legion.
Gladys attended the Kincardine Scottish Pipe band every Saturday night from a young age, but enjoyed it the most once her grandson Glenn started playing the pipes and her granddaughter Alyssa and great-nephew Brandon started playing the drums.
Gladys will be fondly remembered for her quick wit, sharp memory and love of family.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Murray and his staff at the Kincardine Community Medical Clinic and Dr. Cavanagh and the staff of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre – Kincardine. A special thank you to Dr. Gunaratne and all of the staff and volunteers at the Huron Shores Hospice for their compassionate care in the last days of Gladys’ life.
The funeral was conducted from the Davey Linklater Funeral Home in Kincardine on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, with visitation from 12-1 p.m. and the service which followed at 1:30 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Huron Shores Hospice, the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band or a charity of your choice.
Portrait and memorial online at www.davey- linklaterfuneralhome.com.