Gladys Poor

Gladys Haslett Poor, 90 years of age, of Marblehead, died peacefully in her home Saturday, March 3. Born in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, she grew up on her family’s farm in Seneca Township near Geneva, NY. She graduated from Cornell University in 1943 then moved to New York City where she worked for IBM and met her late husband of 63 years, George R. Poor.

A resident of Marblehead since 1945, Gladys was an accomplished artist, enthusiastic gardener, avid sailor, skier, tennis player and music lover. She and husband George, true companions and devoted parents, shared each other’s passion for music, art and the sea and spent many summers cruising the coast of Maine together and with family. Gladys was a longtime member of the Eastern Yacht Club, the Copley Art Society in Boston, North Shore Arts Association, the Marblehead Arts Association, the Swampscott Arts Association, and the Cape Ann Water Color Painters. In the 1960s she served as a trustee at Shore Country Day School in Beverly and was active in the League of Women’s Voters. As a prominent member of the Marblehead and Driftwood Garden Clubs, and the Salem Thread and Needle Society, she continued many of these active memberships until her passing.

Gladys’s sense of adventure and boundless energy inspired those around her. Above all she was a most treasured mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who showered her enthusiasm, joy and love on all who knew her. She lived life to its fullest to the very end, leaving us one last tangible gift, a colorful painting she created the day before she died.

Gladys leaves three daughters, Jean E.P. Burden and husband Ordway of New York City, Sally P. Beck and husband Carl of Belgrade, ME, and Susan A. Poor and husband Jeffrey Dingle of Marblehead; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by a daughter, Geraldine P. Saunders Dubois of Brooklyn, NY.

A memorial service will be held at the Old North Church, 35 Washington Street, Marblehead on Friday, March 23 at 11AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Movement Disorder Unit at Mass General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA 02114. Arrangements by the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, Marblehead.