Gladys Irene Boutilier

BOUTILIER , Gladys Irene, age 95.

It is with broken hearts the family announces the passing of our Mom, grandmother and great grandmother, Gladys (Swinimer) Boutilier of Western Shore on May 23, 2024 at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family.

She was a daughter of Arthur and Lillian Swinimer, was born in Three Mile Plains on July 31, 1928 and moved to Western Shore shortly thereafter.

Gladys was very active in the community over the years being a lifetime member of St Marks Church and Alter Guild, Ladies Guild, Council Member, Home & School member, past Commissioner of Western Shore Fire Department, past Synod delegate for 20 years, past teacher and superintendent of St Marks Sunday School, and Regional Council member licensed to administer home communion to the sick and shut-ins. Over the years she worked at Simpson Sears in Halifax, Bills Store in Mahone Bay, The Teazer in Mahone Bay and in the tourist center on Oak Island. She loved to read, do quilting, knitting, writing and visiting and helping the elderly, the sick and shut-ins. Her favourite pastime was talking and telling stories to all those around her.

Gladys was predeceased by her husband, Sterling Boutilier; parents, Arthur and Lillian (Whitehead) Swinimer; infant sister, Inez; brothers, Alvin, Marshall, Wesley and Laurie; sisters, Frances, Doreen and Margaret Rose; beloved son, Richard (Terry).

Surviving relatives are daughter, Rickey Rafuse (the late Ernest Rafuse) of Western Shore; son, Cecil Boutilier (Peggy) of Garden Lots; daughter, Corinne Morrison of Western Shore. Grandchildren, Denise Rafuse (Barry) of Alberton, PEI, Scott (Charlene) Rafuse of Western Shore, Colin (Missy) Boutilier of Baker Settlement, Burke (Kourtney) Boutilier of Garden Lots, Kirk (Sheila) Boutilier of Red Deer, Alberta, Tabatha Boutilier of Spruce Grove, Alberta, Meghan (Trent) Morrison of Windsor Road and Dakota (Anthony) Morrison of Windsor Road. Great grandchildren, Tyson, Brandon, Keisha, Greyson, Piper, Ocean and Rohan. She is also survived by her brother, Percy (Sheila) Swinimer of Martins Point, brother, Arthur Jr (Elaine) of Western Shore and sister, Geraldine (Garnet) DeMille of Western Shore.

There are no words to describe the loss that we feel and no words to describe how loved and important Gram was in all our lives. Anyone that knew her knows what we mean without saying anything at all. There will forever be a large void in all our lives. We nicknamed her The Queen in the last few months and she most certainly was our Queen.

A graveside service will be held at Western Shore Cemetery in Western Shore, 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 31, 2024. Reception to follow at Western Shore Fire Hall.

Flowers by family only. Donations may be made to the ALS Society, in memory of her son, Richard; The Alzheimer’s Society, in memory of her husband, Sterling; Western Shore Cemetery Fund or any other charity of your choice.

A special thanks to Home Care Support and the nurses in the medical unit at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital as they took very good care of her. A special thanks to Dashia who we can never thank enough.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Mahone Funeral Home, P.O. Box 200, 32 Parish St., Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0 (902-624-8241). Online condolences may be sent to the family and obituary viewed by visiting: www.mahonefuneral.ca