Gladys Alice Prouty

Gladys Alice Bell Prouty passed away on October 26, 2016. In hospice care for one year prior to her death, Gladys died peacefully in her sleep. Gladys was born December 31, 1920 to Joseph Chester and Mabel Viola Bell at Monmouth Memorial Hospital in Long Branch, New Jersey. She attended school and graduated from Fremont High and Lake Merritt Business School in Oakland, CA. In 1939, while working as a secretary at General Electric Company, she met, fell in love with and married Wesley Prouty on October 12, 1940 at The Little Chapel of the Flowers in Berkley, California. In 1943, they moved to Colfax WA, to work in the family business, Colfax Creamery, but soon moved to Garfield, WA where they purchased a restaurant named "The Nook Café, owning it for 12 years. They moved back to Colfax in 1958 and purchased a Texaco Service Station. Gladys attended nursing school in the late 60's. After receiving her LPN license, she worked as a compassionate caregiver at Whitman Community Hospital until retirement after 30 years. A proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Gladys was an active participant in the community and later in her retirement years, enjoyed working at the Thrifty Grandmother's Shop in Colfax. Gladys's hands were always busy, if not knitting and crocheting slippers for all her kids, she was busy stuffing Avon bags for all of her loyal customers.

Gladys was predeceased by her loving husband and father of their 6 children: Alice, Fran, Jim, Gale, Jane and Susan.
Gladys absolutely loved having babies around and found pure joy in her children providing 17 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great Great Grandchildren, most of whom received a rocking lullaby from Grandma Gladys while singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame".

Long known for her positive outlook on life, her witty sense of humor and her love of singing the 100's of songs that she knew the lyrics to, Gladys will be loved and missed forever.

We love you, Mom!




In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution to Shriner's Hospitals for Children:

http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

https://secure2.convio.net/shfc/site/Donation2?df_id=4363&4363.donation=form1&gclid=CIj0weST_88CFQaRfgodNpgLpg