Gladys Margaret (Lomax) Wheeler

Gladys Margaret (Lomax) Wheeler left us peacefully in her 105th year. Born, January 1916 in Lancashire England. Her family moved to Fleetwood so that the then sickly child could breathe fresh ocean air and her lungs would be free from attacks of pneumonia caused by smoky air from the industrial factories.

At the age of 14 she, along with her sister Francis and her mother immigrated to Canada to meet up with her father James Lomax. She embraced her new life in Canada and enjoyed camping, canoeing and skiing. Gladys married Llewellyn Wheeler and when the family expanded to include Nancy and Deborah, they built a home in Don Mills. Unfortunately Llew passed away early and Gladys would go on to be a single parent and take up a career in Toronto altering clothing for the fashion catalogue industry. She faced this and other challenges in her life, always accepting them and moving on.

Her greatest enjoyment was sharing meals, a single malt, celebrations and catching up with her expanding family. She was an avid reader, loved flowers, gardening, phone calls from family and friends and playing bridge with a group that lasted for over 50 years. She remained in her family home until age 98. She was an active member of the Anglican Church of the Ascension and a member of the ACW for many years.

Having studied dress design, Gladys put it to good use by making all the dresses for her own wedding party including her own, the bridesmaids and mother of the bride. She made both of her daughters’ wedding dresses, and clothes for her daughters and their dolls.

The years spent growing up by the seaside in England instilled in her the love of being by the sea. She made several trips to visit her youngest daughter and her family in Nova Scotia, always enjoying the ocean, rolling waves and salt air. She spent many happy days at the family cottage on Lake Simcoe and visits to her brother Al’s cottage at Lake of Bays.  Her eldest daughter and her husband, John Bratton, were a huge support to Gladys especially in her recent declining health. Sadly John’s sudden passing took place only a few days before Gladys.

Gladys is survived by her daughters, Nancy Bratton, Deborah Wheeler (Kurt Lutes); grand children, Stephanie, (Brian) Belanger, Andrew (Dana) Bratton, Kristin Lutes (Ryan Brown), Caitlin Lutes and four great-grand children and sister in law Elizabeth Lomax (Alan). She was predeceased by her sisters Frances (Murray), Anne (Willis), brother Alan (Lomax) and son-in law John Bratton.

Cremation has taken place. Celebration of life will occur later when covid restrictions allow.