Gladys McLaughlin Henrickson, 90, passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Assisted Living in Hendersonville NC, on Oct. 21, 2009.
Daughter of William and Mary McLaughlin, she grew up in West Suffield CT, a 1936 graduate of Suffield Academy. She was predeceased by her husband Clifford A. Henrickson (1994) and her only brother Edwin McLaughlin.
She lived in Farmington, Connecticut for most of her life. She became a part-time resident of Hendersonville, then later a full-time resident about 1996. A Charter Member of Grace United Church in Farmington, Gladys had been Director of the Junior Choir at First Church Congregational in Farmington. She was active at Unity Center in Mills River, NC, where she was named a Volunteer of the Year in 2000. She was friendly and active in every community where she lived. She retired from Robert E. Morris Co., where she was secretary to the president. She enjoyed gardening, flower arrangement, handicrafts of all kinds and making Linus Blankets with the Sewing Circle at Opportunity House. She sang in church choirs and the Do-Re-Mommies and she played piano daily.
She is survived by a son, Clifford J. Henrickson of Farmington CT; a daughter, Lois Henrickson and her husband Rev. Chad O’Shea of Mills River NC; a close niece, Diana Corning; and four beloved grandchildren; Brad Henrickson of Farmington, CT, Carl Henrickson of Atlanta GA, Michael O’Shea of Asheville, NC and Katie O’Shea of Mills River, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 at Unity Center. Gifts in her memory may be made to Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd, Mills River, NC 28759.