Gladys Gorski

Gladys Gorski, age 97 of St. Clair Shores, died Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at the Church of Christ Care Center in Clinton Township, Michigan. Gladys was born July 12, 1918 in Detroit, daughter of the late Mathew and the late Elizabeth (nee: Stark) Moore. After losing her mother at childbirth, the next two years would prove to be challenging in Gladys' life with she and her siblings being separated. Needing someone who could care and provide for a little girl, it was in 1920 that her Uncle Edward (Martha) Stark extended themselves out of love for their niece and formally adopted Gladys to be a part of their family,...while keeping everything within the family. And so began the life of Gladys Moore-Stark.It's not often that this obituary writer gets moved to tears, but after perusing the body of information provided by Gladys' daughter, Kathy for this writing, I was blown away by how this special lady impacted the lives around her. A resident of Hamtramck for most of her life, Gladys held many wonderful memories of the "old days" when shopping downtown or sharing a little "coffee & Canasta" with her sister's-in-law was the height of her day. But in all reality, there was no mistaking that one of the most special places and titles in Gladys' life was that of homemaker and Mom. She was known for being quite the homebody who simply enjoyed the comforts of what lie right within the confines of her own four walls,…as it were. She poured the best and most loving parts of herself into the raising and nurturing of her dear family, and much of that had to do with the time she spent on her knees in prayer. Gladys was a very prayerful woman who possessed a strong and abiding faith that touched the hearts of many,…yet none-so-much as her precious family.Attending to the needs of loved ones and a household was a task that Gladys tackled with her own unique sense of ease & control, and did it with flair. Yet her life was not merely about working and toiling away,…it was also infused with a healthy dose of fun, entertainment, and relaxation to help power up her batteries. For a little time to herself, you'd often find Gladys exercising her creative skills in the realm of crafting,…specifically with her master tools, the crochet needles. There are many-an-afghan out there that have the mark of Gladys all over them as she was the Queen of creating some warm and decorative afghans throughout her life. If not those, Gladys will always be remembered for her talents in producing some memorable gifts for the many bridal and wedding showers over the years. When it came time for a bit of fun and entertainment, Gladys loved playing cards around the table with family and friends. She loved the games of Canasta and Gin Rummy, but especially shined in the game of "Kings in the Corner,"…where she took no prisoners! She also loved her music and would often get lost in the unique sounds of Willie Nelson, especially when he crooned her favorite tune, "Stardust." One of the most unique and enjoyable birthday gifts she ever received was when her children bought her tickets to a Willie Nelson concert,…and life was never the same. And nothing could beat the sounds of a little polka music, which Gladys loved to dance to in the arms of her son, Ron. Nothing says fun more than having it infused with a bit of Polish flair!Yet memories of Gladys' Polish heritage will not merely reflect the fun she had, but in the magic she performed from her kitchen. When it came to some of that traditional Polish fare, Gladys was known for whipping up some pretty tasty treats,…especially her mouth-watering meatballs, just ask her grandson, Joe. He absolutely loved eating at Grandma's house. And not merely a great cook, Gladys was also one of the premiere bakers in town as well. If you had a sweet tooth, she could definitely satisfy your craving. And nothing said "yummy" like her traditional Christmas Cookies. Those and a glass of milk,…and you were livin' large! Other pastimes Gladys enjoyed included solving word search puzzles, which she did well into her golden years. She was also an avid reader who was known for devouring all of the novels by Nora Roberts, her favorite author. Gardening was also a huge delight for Gladys who was quite proud of the TLC and nurturing "green thumb" that produced some magnificent landscaping for all to enjoy. From the various plants to her prize rose bushes, her work and labors in the garden were not only evident, but a thing of beauty. A little gaming could often mean a trip to the local Bingo parlor, or simply in the comforts of home being challenged to a rousing game of trivia,…a challenge of which she rarely lost. Her family quips about how, at times, Gladys would have to hold back to give the others a chance. And though it wasn't so much a game, she managed to have a blast each time she verbally sparred with son, Ron and son-in-law, Mel. The three of them would often go round & round debating the various issues and questions of life, an education of which was always enjoyed and welcomed.Travel was another of Gladys' favorite things to do, and she was certainly blessed by the scenic splendor and cozy comforts she was able to partake of throughout her travels. In the earlier years, her memories were rife with the joys and pleasures of joining with her husband Walter, sister Clara and husband Louis, as the foursome made their summer treks to Michigan's north country. Then there were the winter escapes she enjoyed to the warmth & sunshine, and her children, to their homes in Florida and South Carolina. She never grew tired of the gorgeous southern sunsets, and would often encourage others to join her for the show,…especially amidst the splendor of Myrtle Beach, S.C.But of all the joys in her life, one of the most matchless was the love Gladys held for her precious & cherished grandchildren. From the many blessings enjoyed while babysitting,…to fulfilling the role of chauffeur as she drove them around town to their respective events and activities,…to sharing one of her favorite events with them on the putt-putt range. Grandson, Tony will always reflect on what a joy it was visiting with his Grandma and sharing the sanctuary and comforts of her home. He loved each time they'd step out for a bite to eat at the infamous Clock Restaurant, and simply partaking of each other's company. Then there was grandson Joe's visits that blessed her soul. Yes, he also loved to eat,…but that was reserved solely for Gladys' creations. Joe will forever recall the fun he and Grandma shared sitting around the table in a rousing game of Yahtzee,…again, a game that Joe was rarely going to come away the victor. His victory was simply in seeing the joy on Gladys' face when he walked through the door. For the longest time, Gladys' pool of grandchildren were relegated to the male of the species. Though her love for them was immense and immeasurable,…still, she always held out hope that God would bless her with a granddaughter. Time marched on and the years passed, but a granddaughter was just not in the picture for Gladys. So the day came that she promised grandson, Joe that she wasn't going to die until she came to his wedding and would make plans to stay until a baby girl arrived. Joe's wife, Livia, was a true granddaughter to Gladys and she loved her as if she were her own blood. So just imagine the glorious surprise when Livia honored Gladys with two great-grandbabies,…one of which was finally a girl, Baby Sylvia Grace. Gladys was so thrilled when she was able to visit the hospital and hold Sylvia's brother Merrick 3 years ago,…and equally so to hold her great-grandDAUGHTER, Sylvia Grace. Sylvia looks just like her Gigi.Gladys' traits were both eclectic and charming, some may have used the phrase "quite detailed." Like the way she kept her clothes folded and organized in the chest of drawers,…or the fact that there was never a dirty dish in her sink. Dirty dishes and silverware were always cleaned and tucked away in a timely fashion. She loved doing the laundry, but seemed to have some other-worldly attachment to bleach. You had to keep a close eye out or everything would have been tie-dyed. And she loved to iron her clothing, something she often did,…right up until she almost killed the dog with the iron.Another of Gladys' traits remembered will be her faith and how it drove so much of who she was. As mentioned, she was a prayerful woman who kept her loved ones and friends close to her heart, always. She was also a proud member of St. Lucy Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores, and she loved her pastor, Fr. Jim Commyn. The two of them had become good friends and he made her laugh and feel good. When Gladys lost her son Ron in 2011, it was Fr. Jim who helped her through the toughest moments for which she was most grateful. She often commented that he felt like a son to her.And perhaps most endearing was Gladys' ability to touch others through her gift of card writing. She always sought out just the perfect card, then would pour out her heart through the sentimental offerings designed specifically for each recipient. Everyone looked so forward to their birthdays and Christmas because they knew one of Gladys' trademark cards was on the way. And if that wasn't enough, she would always WOW everybody by her impeccable penmanship skills. Her cards were not only sentimental,…they were also works of art with calligraphy.Amidst all of her blessings, Gladys had her share of challenges as well. At the young age of 55, just when she and Walter were about to begin "really living," the early onset of Alzheimer's took hold in Walter and changed everything. It found her broken-hearted for a time, but life pressed on and so did she. As her own life began to show signs of age, she had 2 friends that she was quite thankful for, Rudy & Eva. Rudy, especially, was a Godsend in her life, serving her transportation needs and helping to get her to those precious friendship moments and activities she enjoyed so well. She was also thankful for the many wonderful chats they shared, and for his helping to provide special moments such as taking her to Metropolitan Beach and his backyard garden for a little scenic delight. Lastly, her family reflects on all the "nevers" she used to share. Like how she was NEVER going to a Senior Center,…but she did, and managed to have a great time and build some wonderful friendships, to boot. And how she was NEVER going into Assisted Living,…but she did, and found it to be a very rewarding environment filled with a warm and professional staff. Then how she was NEVER going into a nursing home,…but she did, and adjusted to the change with no problem at all. A funny story shared is how, at both the assisted living and nursing home settings, she came to treasure and anticipate "Pill Time" at each facility. She knew exactly when to expect it and would get herself positioned right at the doorway so as not to miss her opportunity. Yes, Gladys was a hoot,…yet she also leaves quite a legacy of love to be treasured and relived with each reflection shared, and leaves behind a host of lives touched by her giving and caring spirit. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally. Gladys was the beloved wife of the late Walter. Dear mother of Kathleen (Mel) Plaskey, and the late Ronald (Suzanne) Gorski. Loving grandmother of M.J (Livia) Plaskey, and Ken, Tim, Tony & Mike Gorski. Cherished great-grandmother of Brandon & Mike Jr. Gorski, and Merrick & Sylvia Plaskey. Visitation for Gladys will be held Friday, February 26th from 3:00-9:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm Scripture Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd. at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd.) in Warren. She will lie in state on Saturday at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 23401 Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores from 9:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit.Memorial donations are welcomed to the Church of Christ Care Center, Please share memories of Gladys at her memory book above.