Gladys Marie Currier

Gladys Marie Elliott was born in Eugene, Oregon to parents George Jack and Ann Julia (Scott) Elliott. Gladys was sister to brothers George and "Babe" Elliott and sister Vi (Elliott) Cunningham. When Gladys was very young, her family relocated to the St Johns area of North Portland. Gladys spent countless hours playing in St Johns woods and she had many fond memories of walks across the St Johns Bridge to explore Forest Park on the other side of the Willamette River. When Gladys was a high school student, her mother died and Gladys had to leave school to help look after and support her family. This difficult period of her family’s history coincided with the height of The Great Depression. First, Gladys worked in her father George’s wood yard and auto repair shop. She later went to work for Sally’s Dress Shop where she made alterations. During WWII, to support the war effort, Gladys went to work in the Oregon Shipyards at Terminal 4 in building Liberty Ships.

Gladys was married to Clinton A. Currier on May 17th, 1944 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The two met in St. Johns and Gladys followed Clinton Eastward as he was ramping up his Army training in preparation for service in Europe. Clinton was first activated for Army duty at Camp Adair near Corvallis, Oregon.

Gladys and Clinton were blessed with three children: Don, Tammy (Timothy), and Patrick. They had a home built in 1954 (Gladys remained in that home on Druid Avenue up until 3 years ago). Following the conclusion of WWII, Gladys was predominantly a stay-at-home mother and homemaker. In 1957, Gladys went to work for Continental Can Company on N. Lombard in St Johns. She worked as a packer of can ends and remained at Continental until 1985 at which time she retired as a much loved co-worker and valued employee. Clinton passed away in 1986.

Gladys was very adept with her hands and enjoyed sewing, handicrafts, knitting, and crocheting. She crocheted baby blankets, booties, and hats. She sold these items in the Milwaukee Senior Center Consignment Shop. Gladys was crocheting gifts for her family and care givers right up until the end of her life.

She enjoyed television but she enjoyed reading even more and her favorite materials to read were mysteries. Later in her life, Gladys’ son Patrick and Granddaughter Christina Jacobsen made sure she had a steady supply of large-print reading material.

Her favorite road trip destinations were to the Oregon Coast (Seaside was a favorite, Lincoln City as well) and special spots along the Columbia Gorge. Gladys and her son Patrick had an annual Mother’s Day tradition of visiting Columbia Gorge Hotel for brunch and then a visit to Multnomah Falls and ice cream cones. Gladys always made a trip to the hairdresser so she would look her very best on her special day with Patrick in the Gorge. Mother’s Day was just one of many examples of the tender and loving relationship between Gladys and Patrick. For the last three years, Patrick and her shared many special and memorable moments together.

Gladys will be remembered as someone who always held family as her greatest love and priority. She was an unwaveringly supportive and loving grandmother and great-grandmother – she was always there for her family, each and every one was so important to her.

Gladys remained engaged in life, pursued her passions, and stayed active. It has been said that Gladys remained “as sharp as a tack” right up to the very end. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her sons Patrick (wife Susan) and Don (wife Ana) Currier; daughter, Tammy Lynn Currier; 9 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Gladys’ life and reception gathering will be held at Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in the Clatskanie Room and Skyline Hospitality Room, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd, Portland, Oregon on Monday, August 24h, 2015, at 1pm.

Please visit Gladys’ internet memorial and online guestbook at www.skylinememorialgardens.com. Thank you