Gladys M. George's Obituary
Gladys M. George, 91, a lifelong Methuen resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024, surrounded by her loving and caring children, who will all miss her very much. Gladys was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Donald A. George.
Born in Methuen, she was the daughter of Charles and Alice Bistany. Gladys graduated from Edward F. Searles High School in Methuen, Class of 1951. She went on to attend and graduate from Burdett College in Boston, MA where she studied to become an executive assistant. Gladys’ most memorable career choice was to relocate to Washington D.C. and work at the Department of Defense in the Pentagon during the Eisenhower administration. As a young executive assistant, she was trusted with many important documents and felt immense pride in her work.
Periodically, she returned to Methuen and met the love of her life, Donald A. George, through St. Anthony’s Maronite Church. The two were married in 1957, and Gladys followed her husband for an assignment in New York. There, they began their family in Floral Park, NY. In 1960, they returned to Methuen with their young daughters, Alison and Donna.
While taking care of her mother, Gladys became a very active member of the St. Anthony’s Sodality. She enjoyed singing in the choir and the many fundraising activities that helped the church community grow. She was also instrumental in launching Home Inspections Associates, a startup business that her husband, Donald, and brother-in-law Sam founded.
Gladys and Donald continued to grow their family with the birth of two sons, Christopher and Stephen. Gladys had a remarkable commitment to her community, to her church, and to her family. Often, she would coordinate and plan family gatherings and vacations that not only included her immediate family, but also her many nieces and nephews. Many of those same nieces and nephews remained very close to Auntie Gladys.
What really brought her joy and happiness was her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Sito made sure that they were very loved, supported, and close to one another. The holidays at her house were always warm and loving and brought the entire family together. She very much enjoyed traveling to Lake Winnipesaukee with her entire family, not missing the opportunity to show everyone the importance of kindness and thoughtfulness. Her life’s work can be seen in the strength of her family.
Gladys is survived by her daughter, Alison M. Puglisi and her husband, Vincent of Windham, NH; her daughter, Donna J. Kostandin of Methuen, MA; her son, Christopher C. George and his fiancé Janet Wright of Methuen, MA; and her son, Stephen A. George and his wife Kathy of Dracut, MA. She was fortunate to have many very close and loving grandchildren including granddaughter Alexandra Horton and her husband Benjamin of Manchester, NH, granddaughter Lauren Perrault and her husband Zak of Bedford, NH, granddaughter Lindsey St. Jean and her husband Nathaniel of Amherst, NH, granddaughter Danielle Zucchi and her husband Joseph of Derry, NH, grandson Eric Kostandin of New York, NY, grandson Brett George of New York, NY, grandson Ryan George of Methuen, MA, grandson Matthew George with Tiara Lyons of Dracut, MA, grandson Benjamin George and his wife Nancy of Pelham, NH, granddaughter Madeleine George of Dracut, MA. Gladys also had two little great-grandchildren that brightened her days: Christian St. Jean and Ava Zucchi.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 in St. Anthony’s Maronite Church, 145 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA 01841 at 3:30pm. Visiting hours will be held prior to the Mass at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA 01844 from 12:30pm-2:30pm. Interment, St. Anthony Cemetery, Methuen.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Glady's name to St. Anthony Maronite Church, 145 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA 01841.
https://www.stanthonylawrence.org/donate-now/
The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the George family.
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