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Light a Candle
In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Mother Our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to Gladys Iola May (Cassidy) Wilson a truly beloved Wife and Mother, who passed away at the age of 90 yrs on the afternoon of Sept 28, 2023 at her home surrounded by several of her cherished family members. She was born on June 2, 1933 in Radville, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Arthur Kitchener Cassidy & Edna Francis Barr who she described as firm but doting parents as she grew up with 3 rambunctious brothers. She told us the boys were called Big Cass, Cass, & Little Cass and our mom was called “Cassie” for most of her life, though she did use the name Iola mostly as an adult. Her parents took them to an Anglican church from a young age, and she knew and believed in Jesus Christ. She lived a busy fun life with her family. Her Father was a train Conductor and her mom was a homemaker. They lived in a small close community. Once she finished the high school years she was very independent and at about 17 yrs old had a job and had become engaged. That was before she met our Dad. Shortly thereafter, When working in an ice cream factory, she met a new handsome young man who had just gotten a job at the company ........ and soon realized she had found her soulmate in William Thomas Edsil Wilson. What happened next... as they say... was history. She embarked on a whirlwind romance, marrying our father after just a three-week courtship and elopement. They were married on Aug 25, 1951 in Vancouver BC, Canada. Their love provided the foundation for a nurturing home that raised their own and several other children she and Dad welcomed to their family as unofficial “foster children”. Each was also loved and all were taught and encouraged to carry the values instilled by these devoted parents into their adult lives. Our mother was the epitome of love, compassion, and selflessness. She and Dad had seven children of their own, but her heart was vast enough to continually open our home to others in need of a loving and nurturing environment. Her capacity for love knew no bounds all of her life. Her intelligence was awe-inspiring, and she channeled it into various pursuits throughout her life. She had worked several years in the banking business, owned her own Wedding Planning Business, and lent her expertise to several entrepreneurial ventures alongside our father. A few years after their marriage Mom and Dad met missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They became very committed to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ they were being taught. They were baptized in 1961, with the children following along in the appointed years. Her dedication to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was unwavering. For many years, she and Dad immersed themselves in missionary work and she devoted herself to serving others, spreading love, and strengthening her faith. She was creative in writing and drama, and wrote and produced many short plays and skits for the church and community. She could write, rhyme or edit about anything she decided to. She was also a leader of boy scouts as a young mother. When my dad found a new opportunity for a woodworking career, Our parents made a decision to move their family from Canada to the USA so in Oct of 1968 They came to Portland Oregon and continued to raise their family in the Gospel, getting involved and teaching Genealogy while seeking out their own ancestors due to their belief in Eternal marriage. They had been married many years and Mom was thrilled to finally have the opportunity of being sealed to Dad and some of their family in the Ogden Temple in 1980. With Mom's influence and Dads support and encouragement … While all of us kids were still very young, our family did many roadshow's and community performances. They both encouraged all the children to be involved with music and drama in whatever capacity it pleased them. Many still do so and have developed a lot of talent from their example and love of music. Following their retirement from the long years of everyday working, our parents embarked on a wonderful and successful mission for our church in July of 1993 in the Kentucky-Louisville Mission area. They served as a Senior couple, which was a deeply rewarding experience for them both and a wonderful example to all of the family. Upon their return they began to manage trailer parks and did so for over two decades, with our mother as the bookkeeper and heart and soul of the community as well as a firm but kind business-savvy anchor and our father filling the spaces, bringing in and fixing up trailer homes and taking care of the yards and maintenance. Together, they formed an unbeatable team as they cared about both business and people. During the last 11 years of their lives, with the onset of aging, our parents began a different phase. They decided to purchase a home with their daughter Tracy, and sweet young granddaughter, Larkin. They were happy and content in that home, though our mother's love of all her children and her dedication to her many many grandchildren was still a huge part of her life. She had incredible faith and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for temple work. Her enormous love for her family, her dear friends and even for furry companions remained undiminished throughout her very long life, even as she battled the challenges of Alzheimer's for the past several years. Through all of life's trials, she never lost her sweetness or patience, radiating love and kindness to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy of love, service, and unwavering faith will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and the countless other lives she touched throughout her remarkable journey. As many of you will remember, our dear Dad passed away on July 31/2023. Just over two months ago and his memory is still fresh in our minds and hearts. And now the memory of our mother … Gladys Iola May Cassidy Wilson, will be forever cherished by her seven children that survived her passing: William Thomas Arthur Wilson, Lawrence Patrick Stanley Wilson, Shelley Lee Sybil Gish, Theresa Annette Rainsdon, Randy Brett Wilson, Tracy Marie Wilson and Tiffany Lynn Bangle and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will also be dearly missed by all other extended family members, friends, and those who knew her. Our parents Eternal union has been a testament to devotion, hard work, commitment to each other, our family and to the gospel. Their love and loyalty spanned just shy of 72 years of earthly marriage and companionship. As we now bid this temporary farewell to our dear mother, we take solace in knowing that she has found eternal peace, reunited with our father in a place where love knows no bounds. She will forever remain in our hearts, a shining example of grace, love, and unwavering faith. Rest in peace, dear mother, knowing that your love and legacy will endure for generations to come. We will love you always and look forward to seeing you again.
