Gladys Canady

Gladys Canady, 91, of Abilene, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Hendrick Medical Center. A service is scheduled for 10:00 am Wednesday, July 27th at the Piersall Benton Chapel, 733 Butternut St. with a time of visitation to follow. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 11:00 am in the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Born in Sulphur Springs, Texas on April 20, 1920, Gladys was the eldest child of Edna and J.S. Hendrickson. She graduated from Commerce High School and East Texas Teacher's College (now Texas A&M at Commerce). She married M.E. Canady in March, 1942. After WWII, he finished college at Texas A&M and then they moved to Mission, Texas, where they lived from 1949 to 1982. Gladys taught elementary school for 25 years in the Mission ISD. After retiring to Fredericksburg, Texas, M.E. passed away in 1983. Gladys continued to live in Fredericksburg and enjoyed many travel adventures with a group from there. She visited every state, except two, many European countries as well as Greece and Mexico. In addition, she was able to visit the city in Norway where her grandfather had come from.


Gladys moved to Abilene several years ago to be closer to her daughter. She was a member of Highland Church of Christ and an active part of the community at University Place. Preceding Gladys in death was her husband, her parents, a brother, John Hendrickson, a sister, Helen Baugh, and an infant son, Michael Canady. Survivors include her son Russell and wife Marie Canady of McAllen, Texas, her daughter, Cathy and husband Larry Fink of Abilene, grandchildren, Graham Canady of San Antonio, Rachel and husband Martin Jordan of Cibolo, Stephen and wife Sarah Fink and their daughter Harper of Aledo and Mary Fink of Prague, Czech Republic.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in honor of Gladys to the donors charity of choice. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.