South Burlington, Vt. —
Gladys was born in Woodstock, Vt. in 1920 and was the daughter of Nellie Carter Robinson and Homer Robinson. After high school graduation, she completed nurses’ training at Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, N.H. in 1940. She worked as a registered nurse in Boston, New York City, Springfield, Mass., and Lebanon, N.H. Her compassion and expertise made her a remarkable nurse. She married Ronald Lester Tremblay in 1953; together they raised four children, tended yearly gardens, played countless games of canasta, gave homes to many dogs and cats, and enjoyed a homemade dessert made by Gladys every evening.
Gladys gave back to her Lebanon community after her retirement as a volunteer secretary at the Senior Center and a Meals on Wheels delivery person for 25 years. With her children grown and away, Gladys cultivated new friends with her wit, curiosity, and thoughtfulness. She was an avid reader, seamstress, and gardener who greatly enjoyed a conversation about current affairs.
In 2008 she moved to South Burlington to reside independently at Allenwood. These were happy years for Gladys. She made new friends quickly and always had a kind word for anyone she saw in the halls and in the dining room. She held a special place in her heart for all the employees at Allenwood. She called many of them friends and they returned that feeling. Her family will always be grateful for their care and love of our Gladys.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Nellie Carter Robinson and Homer Robinson, her husband, Ronald, in 1998, and her siblings: Hilda, Harold, Richard, Maurice, and Clyde. She is survived by her sister Sue Robinson Peckham of Agawam, Mass. She is also survived by her children: Brian Ware of West Lebanon, N.H.; Richard Tremblay (Heidi Franz Tremblay) of Sisters, Ore.; David Tremblay (Amy Kobs) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Laurie Tremblay Hickey (Bob Hickey) of South Burlington. Her beloved grandchildren also survive her: Charlie, Danny, Kelsey, Brenna (Colby Jantzen), and Patrick. Her dear friends, the Jorgenson family of Lebanon and the Stickneys of Ormond Beach, Fla., will sorely miss her. She leaves numerous nieces, nephews and friends who counted themselves lucky to know and love her.
A memorial service will be held in the future at Allenwood in South Burlington with interment to follow in Lebanon. An announcement will appear in this paper with further information. If so moved, memorial gifts in Gladys’s honor can be given to the Chittenden County Humane Society in South Burlington.
As a proud Vermonter who overcame great personal adversity to create a good life and give her children the best possible start, our family will remember her strength, intelligence, and humor. Her example will continue to shape her children, grandchildren, and friends. She will be missed.
Arrangements are in the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a division of the Ready Family, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. To send online condolences, please visit www.cremationsocietycc.com.