Gladys Margrethe Pettit

She was born May 4, 1925 in Calgary, Alberta to Frederik and Kirstine Christensen.

Gladys grew up in Standard & Black Diamond, Alberta where she was the ‘apple of her father’s eye’. He imbued her with a life-long work ethic that served her well.

Gladys moved to Vancouver B.C. in 1954 where she raised her son and worked 24 years as a secretary at Magee High School (“Mrs. Hickey”) retiring in 1978. She moved to Aldergrove with husband, John Pettit, (deceased 1991) for 9 years, then to Abbotsford for 29 years. In 2016 Gladys moved to the Chartwell Renaissance Independent living home in Langley until February of this year, when she fell ill.

She is survived by her son & daughter-in-law, Al Hickey & Casey Hannigan, grandchildren, Paul & Ryan Hickey & Chelsea Hannigan, her special Calgary family who always watched out for her; brother & sister-in-law, Donald & Barbara Christensen, niece Lori (Greg), nephews Bill (Sylvie) & David (Lisa), numerous great nieces & nephews and favorite cousin, Al Eriksen (Shirley) of Ottawa.

Gladys was embraced and loved by the entire Hannigan clan, endearingly referred to as “Gram” by all the kids and was treated like gold. She expressed her profound gratitude for their generosity right to the end of her life.

Gladys considered the Zazelenchuk’s (Aldergrove) as her “second family”. They included her in all their special family times. We are grateful for the love they showed her.

Gladys gained ‘friends & fans’ everywhere, touched many lives, was a real ‘original’, spreading her unique & sometimes surprising perspectives to one & all. She continually expressed how she felt loved and how “blessed” she was. We are grateful for dear friends and family who checked on her so frequently.

But her most important gifts were the love & acceptance she passed along freely, especially to her grandchildren, who received her very special care & attention. She often described their childhoods as “the best years of my life”.

She will be forever in our hearts, remembered for her youthful energy, sense of fun, generous spirit and unconditional love.

The family extends gratitude to the Langley Home Health Palliative Team for their compassionate care and support.