Gladys M. Fereday

A Herculean soul of service from a real-life hero and mother of nine children, Gladys Fereday, Baton Rouge (maiden name Kroboth) moved on to the heavenly realm on February 13, 2022 at the age of 89. Raised in Castle Shannon, Pa. as an only child during the Great Depression, Gladys aided her grandmother and great-grandmother in the kitchen and garden. At their side, she discovered the joy of baking and became known for her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and pies. She showed musical talent from a young age in singing and piano. At school, she performed piano tunes for the students as they marched out to recess. As a graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Gladys worked in Pittsburgh-area Catholic hospitals where she honed her skills as a constant caregiver. Fate intervened when she attended a local dance and met a tall, handsome gentleman who later became her groom of over 64 years. She married Jeremiah Fereday in 1957 in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. The family continued to grow and work relocations for her engineer husband took the family to West Virginia, Ohio, California, and finally Baton Rouge. Over the years, many weekends were spent in Pike County Ms. at the family land. She returned to work at Woman’s Hospital as a surgical nurse where she became recognized and respected for her work ethic over the next 23 years. Throughout her life, Gladys was a devoted Catholic who loved the Lord. She was a member of St. Thomas More Church since 1970 where she taught religion classes at home, sang soprano in the choir, participated in eucharistic adoration and rosary group. Avid prayer and meditation were a part of her daily life, which included praying for family and friends. Following retirement, she enjoyed international travel with her husband and church groups. Many of these trips were religious pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Medjugorje, Fatima, and the Vatican. She was preceded in death by her father Francis and mother Blanche. She is survived by her husband, cousins, children and their spouses, Joe (Lori), Jim (Lani), John, Jacquie (Doug), Jean, Kass (Ken), Mike (Tammy), Tom (Laura), and Tress (Kenny). Also, she is survived by 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on February 17, 2022 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd. Mass of Christian burial will begin at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge (www.ccdiobr.org), and the Seraphic Mass Association (www.myMassRequest.org). Please visit www.greenoaksfunerals.com to leave condolences to the family.