Gladys Viola Trill

Gladys Viola Trill (nee Marks) was born to Cera Phleda Marks (Hinch) and Peter Mikkel Marks on April 28, 1929 in Dashwood, BC. Assisting in the delivery was mid-wife Gladys Hayward, for whom she was named.  

She is pre-deceased by her husband, Ted (d. 1980) and both her sister-in-law ‘Tish’ Marks and her older brother Maurice.  

Her family had lived in Port Alberni and Victoria before moving to Hamilton where her father was stationed during the war and where she worked after school as a restaurant server.  In her late teens they returned to the island and to Bowser, where her parents bought the local gas station and general store from Eva Higgin (Trill).

There was a welcoming community of mostly older people in Bowser. At 18 she really wanted to get married and start a family. She laughingly noted that the choice she had was between the two only residing young men both named “Ted”.  She eventually married Frederick ‘Ted’ Trill on June 14, 1947. 

Ted always kept her amused and endured her ‘salt sandwiches’ for years until he eventually and jokingly informed her that the household salt shaker’s large holes made salt the dominant flavour of his lunches. 

Not one to complain, Gladys was kind, loving, giving and unselfish. She put others before herself. She could also have a good laugh at herself and her antics. 

She loved volunteering with children at Parksville Elementary School (where she worked with the daughters-in-law of Gladys Hayward) in the library. She enjoyed quilting and crocheting. Always an avid walker during her more ‘mobile years’, she made her way around town daily and always with a positive attitude. She often said to people that she “was working her way to 90 years of age”. Once she had achieved that she was “working her way to 100”. 

Despite some health issues she modified her diet and challenged the odds with her strong will. She made it to 93 years of age. She passed peacefully in death as she lived her life: in her own home and independently.

As she loved reading and sweets, she was cremated as she wished: alongside some of her favourite books and chocolate.

Gladys cherished her friends and family. Left to recall all the great memories are: her son

Kevin (Lorna), daughter Karen Leahy-Trill (Kent), grandchildren Jordan and Tianna, God-daughter Erin-Leigh Mawson; the Tweedhopes; the Pikets, numerous cousins, nephews and nieces and the many friends she had around the Parksville area. 

Special thanks to her hairdressers, past and present: Sabine Pitt; the ‘second family’ at Full Throttle Hair Garage: Katie and Anissa and the Oceanside cabbies who got her there with their extra care. 

We’d also like to acknowledge the great care provided by Dr. John Dalla Lana and his wonderful office staff; and also Dr. Allison Croome.

We are proud to have had Gladys as our mom, our ‘nanny’, our friend.

No flowers please, but feel free to donate to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or your favourite charity in her name.

Finally Ted and Glad are together again.