Obituary for Gladys Ethel Bye (Hitz)
A daughter, A friend, A wife, A mother, A Grandmother …….
Mrs. Gladys Bye (nee Hitz) passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at the age of 84 years. Gladys was born at home in Golden Ridge, Alberta to Josephine and Melvin Hitz. A seven month premature baby weighing two and a half pounds … she was lathered in oil, wrapped in cotton batting, put in a shoe box with a hot water bottle for warmth. A strong and determined soul from the beginning, she chose to live a full life.
The family farmed in Golden Ridge but spent their winters in Dixonville. Then later chose to reside in Dixonville permanently. Gladys’s father was an entrepreneur, among other businesses, he opened a café …. which Gladys and her mother operated.
It was here, Gladys met Henry ‘Hank’ Hodgson – they married February 1, 1954. Together, they joined the family farm. Gladys and Hank had four daughters - Darlene, Debbie, Brenda, and Lila. We like to think, “their greatest joy.” Gladys devoted her life to her family – always including friends, which were welcome around her plentiful table.
Gladys was an active member in the community volunteering in the various clubs. She participated in curling and was happiest when her hands were busy.
On October 8, 1982, her husband Hank passed away. Gladys later married Dale Bye. They enjoyed thirty six years together - traveling, skiing, dancing, camping, golfing, and family. Gladys never forgot a birthday. She remembered each and every one of her family members without fail - which included twelve grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.
Dale and Gladys moved from the North to Red Deer to reside in a retirement home. It was not the North ……. a part of them remained there when they left, never-the-less they where happy - as home, was each other! Sadly, all new beginnings come to an end …. On September 5, 2020, Dale passed away - part of Gladys went with him. In her final hours, her last words were …. “I am at Peace, I am Ready.”
Gladys will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Darlene (Keith) Meston, Debra (Terry)
Hagen, Brenda (Terry) Blagborne and Lila Hodgson (Darcy Fitzgerald); her twelve
grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren. She will also be sadly missed by her brother,
Stanley (Barbara) Hitz; her sister in law, Joan Hitz as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins
and dear friends. Gladys was predeceased by her parents, Josephine and Melvin Hitz and her
brother, Clifford Hitz.
Interment will take place on April 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Central Grove Cemetery, Dixonville,
Alberta. If desired, Memorial Donations in Gladys’s honor may be made directly to Central
Grove Cemetery, Box 196, Dixonville, Alberta, T0H 1E0. Condolences, memories and photos
may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland
Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
Mrs. Gladys Bye (nee Hitz) passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at the age of 84 years. Gladys was born at home in Golden Ridge, Alberta to Josephine and Melvin Hitz. A seven month premature baby weighing two and a half pounds … she was lathered in oil, wrapped in cotton batting, put in a shoe box with a hot water bottle for warmth. A strong and determined soul from the beginning, she chose to live a full life.
The family farmed in Golden Ridge but spent their winters in Dixonville. Then later chose to reside in Dixonville permanently. Gladys’s father was an entrepreneur, among other businesses, he opened a café …. which Gladys and her mother operated.
It was here, Gladys met Henry ‘Hank’ Hodgson – they married February 1, 1954. Together, they joined the family farm. Gladys and Hank had four daughters - Darlene, Debbie, Brenda, and Lila. We like to think, “their greatest joy.” Gladys devoted her life to her family – always including friends, which were welcome around her plentiful table.
Gladys was an active member in the community volunteering in the various clubs. She participated in curling and was happiest when her hands were busy.
On October 8, 1982, her husband Hank passed away. Gladys later married Dale Bye. They enjoyed thirty six years together - traveling, skiing, dancing, camping, golfing, and family. Gladys never forgot a birthday. She remembered each and every one of her family members without fail - which included twelve grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.
Dale and Gladys moved from the North to Red Deer to reside in a retirement home. It was not the North ……. a part of them remained there when they left, never-the-less they where happy - as home, was each other! Sadly, all new beginnings come to an end …. On September 5, 2020, Dale passed away - part of Gladys went with him. In her final hours, her last words were …. “I am at Peace, I am Ready.”
Gladys will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Darlene (Keith) Meston, Debra (Terry)
Hagen, Brenda (Terry) Blagborne and Lila Hodgson (Darcy Fitzgerald); her twelve
grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren. She will also be sadly missed by her brother,
Stanley (Barbara) Hitz; her sister in law, Joan Hitz as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins
and dear friends. Gladys was predeceased by her parents, Josephine and Melvin Hitz and her
brother, Clifford Hitz.
Interment will take place on April 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Central Grove Cemetery, Dixonville,
Alberta. If desired, Memorial Donations in Gladys’s honor may be made directly to Central
Grove Cemetery, Box 196, Dixonville, Alberta, T0H 1E0. Condolences, memories and photos
may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland
Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.