Mrs. Gladys G. (Smith) Fitz, 97, of Waynesboro, PA passed away Sunday morning, December 1, 2024.
Born June 6, 1927 in Lantz, MD, she was the daughter of the late Alvey and Melzenia Grace (Wolf) Smith.
She and her husband, the late Henry D. Fitz were married at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Blue Ridge Summit, PA in 1947. Mr. Fitz died on March 26, 1992.
Gladys took satisfaction and pride in a job well done. She fondly recalled her times working at the Blossom Inn, Blue Ridge Summit, during World War II and as a seamstress for Connie Sportswear in her early years. Gladys safely carried numerous Waynesboro Area School District children as a bus driver for over 25 years. From 1990 until her retirement more than 25 years later, Gladys served as chef and coordinator of the Waynesboro Area Fellowship of Churches’ The Lunch Place.
Gladys celebrated her family through holiday dinners, backyard picnics, and Sunday breakfasts after Mass. She was a very skilled seamstress and enjoyed sewing for her family. Among other sewing projects, she made her five daughters’ wedding gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses as well as quilts for her grandchildren. Gladys enjoyed time outdoors tending to her gardens. She was a passionate reader and an adept puzzle solver.
She is survived by five daughters: Kathryn Welty of Frederick, MD; Jean Barlup of Mont Alto, PA; Theresa Jackson (Michael) of Waynesboro, PA; Christina Coyle (Kimball) of Waynesboro, PA; Jessica Fields (William) of Towson, MD; nine grandchildren: Christopher Jackson (Lori), Jennifer (Hurd) Dennis (Christopher), Meredith Welty Nickles (Steve), Jason Coyle (Jessica), Jesse Coyle (Janis), Joseph Welty (Erin), Edith Fields, Samuel Fields, and Jack Fields; eleven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Gladys was preceded in death by one sister, Jane (Smith) Hankey, and four brothers: Elmer Smith, Hubert Smith, Clyde Smith, and Roger Smith.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 7, 2024 in St. Andrew Catholic Church, 12 N. Broad St., Waynesboro with the Rev. Christopher Onyeneke, MSSCC, officiating. Burial will be private in St. Andrew Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services, Saturday morning, in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Lunch Place, 100 South Church Street, Waynesboro, PA 17268.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, PA is handling the arrangements.
