Gladys Girard

Gladys Girard, age 83, passed away on June 11, 2014 in Denver, surrounded by her loving family. A native of Colorado, she was born in Denver on October 7, 1930 and lived her entire life in the greater Denver area. Married at the age of 16 to Arthur Girard, a World War II army veteran. When he returned from Guam, the couple set up a household. Arthur started work as a machinist and later became a tool and die maker. Gladys was a homemaker. They lived in Denver, Wheat Ridge and Arvada. Gladys is survived by three daughters, Cheryl Phoebe Girard (David R. Anderson) of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts; Wendy Snyder of Monte Vista, Colorado and Peggy Andrews (Roger Andrews) of Black Hawk , Colorado. Her grandchildren, Lucas Snyder (Briana Montano) of Livermore, California, Kari Aldridge (Dustin Aldridge) of Monte Vista, Colorado, and Desiree Andrews of Arvada lovingly tended their grandmother's needs throughout her final days. Long active in family and community life, Gladys volunteered in the schools, collecting money for saving bonds in the late 60's where she became known as ""the Stamp Lady,"" and serving as a 4-H leader for several clubs. Later she worked for COBE laboratories as an assembly worker and also as a teacher's aide at the neighborhood elementary school. She loved camping and vacationing and she joined her husband in his railroading hobby. They built a small model railroad in their backyard in Arvada which became a neighborhood attraction. An accomplished quilter and needle worker, she often attended Colorado Quilt Guild events. Gladys often joined her daughter Peggy at area craft fairs. Among her good works, she crocheted warm hats to be donated to babies. In the years after her husband died, she moved to Springwood Retirement Community in Arvada where she continued to enjoy life for her final ten years. Gladys died under the care of Lutheran Collier Hospice. In lieu of flowers family requests that donations be made to Exempla Lutheran Collier Hospice, 3210 Lutheran Parkway, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, 80033. Memorial Service, Saturday, July 12, 2014, 11 AM, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado. She will be reunited with Arthur at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please share your memories of Gladys and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.