McGinnis, Gladys

1924-2021

It is with deep sadness that we say farewell to Gladys McGinnis.  After suffering a severe stroke on December 4, Gladys finally succumbed on January 8.  As she used to say, “I am a tough old bird.”  Her loss will be mourned by her children Brenda Reid (Peter Cameron), Cameron (Yona), and Heather...

McGinnis, Gladys

1924-2021

It is with deep sadness that we say farewell to Gladys McGinnis.  After suffering a severe stroke on December 4, Gladys finally succumbed on January 8.  As she used to say, “I am a tough old bird.”  Her loss will be mourned by her children Brenda Reid (Peter Cameron), Cameron (Yona), and Heather Screaton (Jim), and daughter-in-law Irene Searles.  She will also be mourned by grandchildren Lisa and Kenny Cameron, Marin, Charlotte and Ryder McGinnis, Elaine and Alan Screaton, and Duncan and Lauren McGinnis; great-granddaughters Eva, Cassady and Cleo; and special friend Donna Paige.  She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur (Bud) and her son Malcolm.

Gladys was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, the youngest child of Eva and Frederick Meronuik.  She was raised on the family farm in nearby Coaldale. After high school, she participated in the war effort, working in airplane- and gun-assembly plants in Ontario.  After the war, she returned to Lethbridge, graduated from secretarial college, and began work at the federal experimental farm, where she met Bud McGinnis, whom she married in 1948.

They lived Bozeman, Montana and Corvallis, Oregon while Bud completed his graduate degrees, and in Lethbridge, Winnipeg and St. Catharines during Bud’s career.  After Bud retired, they spent three years in Pakistan as Bud worked on a CIDA project.  Eventually, they settled in Ottawa.

Gladys loved to travel, and particularly enjoyed their time in Pakistan, from where they travelled to Australia and New Zealand, and throughout much of the rest of Asia.  Eventually she was able to tour the high points of Europe and North America. She became more worldly than she had ever imagined.

Gladys was proud of her whole family, and enjoyed the numerous reunions we held over the years.  She adored her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Rotary Club of West Ottawa Foundation (rcwo.org).  At Gladys’s request, there be no funeral or memorial service.

Rotary Club of West Ottawa
Ottawa ON
Web: https://rcwo.org/