Gladys B. Dyer

Gladys Dyer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother ascended into heaven peacefully on October 4, 2021 after a period of declining health. She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas G. Dyer (2003) and her son, Michael Dyer (2017). Gladys is survived by her children, Christine Vaughn of Litchfield, NH, Thomas Dyer & Joanne DuBay of Chelmsford, MA, Theresa & Christopher Kramer of Jacksonville, FL, Joseph Dyer of Derry, NH, Marianne & John Davidson of Nashua, NH, Meg & Brian Trainor of Nashua, NH and Edward Dyer of Lowell, MA. She lovingly referred to her children as her, “8 jewels”. Gladys was truly the matriarch of our extended clan which included many grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

Gladys was well known and loved by so many. She was a retired nurse practitioner who served as a school nurse and nursing educator at the Greater Lowell Vocational School for 22 years. Gladys also served as the Assistant Director of the Tewksbury State Hospital School of Nursing. Over the years she also taught at University of Lowell and practiced nursing at St. John’s Hospital and New England Memorial Hospital. Through her work she inspired family and many others to further their education and care for all, especially the sick and less fortunate.

Gladys was a proud graduate of Cathedral High School in Boston, Class of 1949, regularly donating to her alma mater as well as various charitable organizations. She was an active member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill for over 25 years, helping coordinate varied advocacy activities. Gladys was a devoted Catholic and member of the Third Order of the Franciscans. She was proud of and celebrated her Irish heritage as a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. She often volunteered at her local soup kitchen as well.

All who met and spent time with Gladys knew they had encountered a special soul- loving and kind with an easy laugh and sharp wit. She loved to tell stories, learn, and travel and enjoyed multiple trips to Ireland, the homeland of the Donelan clan. She gratefully visited Jerusalem, spending time at the birthplace of Jesus Christ and the Garden of Gethsemane. Gladys traveled to France and Italy as well and particularly liked Assisi, home of her cherished St. Francis, whose Feast Day she passed away on. In her younger years, Gladys enjoyed many trips to Wells Beach, Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

In her final days, Gladys expressed that life’s greatest lesson is to, “Love One Another”. In that vein, we ask that you do just that- reach out to someone, loved one or stranger, and brighten their day with a smile or a kind gesture. If you would like to donate please do so in Gladys’ name to your local Catholic Charity, NAMI Greater Lowell or a nearby soup kitchen.

Please join our family in a celebration of life for our beloved Mom, Gladys, on what would have been her 90th birthday-December 4, 2021. Mass will be at Immaculate Conception Church, Lowell, MA, at 11am, followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tewksbury, MA. This will be followed by a gathering at Lenzi’s Catering, Dracut MA.

~ Slainte’