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Gloria Dee Hendrick

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Gloria Dee Hendrick (McFarlane) died peacefully on January 11, 2015 at Pinewood Court, Thunder Bay.

She was 90 years of age. Gloria was born in Brantford Ontario, spending most of her life in west end Toronto. She was always an active and social person. Her loving husband, Dr. E. Bruce Hendrick, said they had attended the same high school but that he had to get someone else to ask her out for him, as she was so popular.

Gloria and Bruce married in 1947 and she pursued her nursing career at the then Toronto Western Hospital while he continued his lengthy medical training. They always called Toronto home although they lived for a time in both Sudbury and Boston, making lifelong friends wherever they went.

Even though Gloria set aside her nursing career caregiving always remained her career. She became full time loving and strong support and guidance for Bruce and their children.

Her care and friendship extended beyond her immediate family. She opened her home to the many medical residents and their families who trained with Bruce over the years.

She knew Toronto like a cab driver and drove children, church members and elderly family to activities, meetings and appointments. She was an active church member at Kingsway Lambton United Church, both as an elder and in her church group. Gloria never forgot a birthday, anniversary or special occasion and always sent cards and notes. She taught all the neighbourhood children to swim at the backyard pool and spent hours lifeguarding. She hosted amazing parties for family, colleagues and friends.

The essence of Gloria was graciousness, intelligence, dignity, compassion for others, and a wonderful sense of humour. Even in decline she was able to chuckle at the ironic and always remembered to ask after others and to thank people for their help. Knowing her health was failing Gloria, at age 83, moved to Thunder Bay to be near Sheelagh. Difficult as it was to leave her home she took joy in the lovely environment and the kindness she encountered here.

Gloria is survived by her daughter Sheelagh (Richard Latta); Michael (Suzanne) of Harriston, Ontario; her adored grandchildren, Emma and Reed Lehmberg and James and Sarah Hendrick and by her special bonus family Elizabeth, Morgan and Sean Latta. Also survived by her dear sister-in-law Mary Frances Hendrick and beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her parents William and Florence McFarlane, beloved husband Bruce, brother and sister-in-law Bill and Vivian McFarlane and brother-in-law Keith Hendrick.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held in Toronto at a later date. Visitation will take place at Blake Funeral Chapel, Thursday January 15, 4:30 – 6:30 pm.

To honour Gloria’s memory donations may be made to P.R.O. Kids Thunder Bay or to the Dr. E. Bruce Hendrick Scholarship Program of the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario.

 

Gloria Hendrick will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove.  Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016.




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