Gladys May BURGIS

  General Notes:

Gladys May Smith was born in Ballarat, Vic in 1909 Reg No. 24410

Gladys in her early years lived with the family at 6 Queen St Ballarat and probably went to the Humphrey Street Primary School. They moved to McArthur St. then to Lydiard St. at the rear of a grocers shop near Ballarat Station. The family shifted to Melbourne in 1921 firstly to Williamston for a short time then to Preston. It was there that Gladys made almost a lifetime commitment to the South Preston Methodist Church. Gladys worked as a typist in a shoe factory until married.

After their marriage, they lived at 2 Leicester St Preston on the corner of St Georges Rd. In those days only the western side of the St Georges road was paved. Gladys was not a strong character which was essential as Godwin was quite strong minded. She was a typical housewife and was quite religious. She taught her daughter that all other people come first before yourself.

In later life, Godwin was an electrical fitter in the Tramways Electrical Workshops in St Georges Road and was there until he became ill. He spent about a year at home in the kind care of Gladys and passed away peacefully at home in 1972 aged 61 years.

Gladys had to learn to drive at a late age in life and became a great comfort to many others with her new mobility. She was a quite happy person who never seemed to argue with anyone and only expressed good thoughts. If she disagreed with you all one would detect was a slight clearing of the throat or a pleasant oh well. She was one of the most Christ like persons one would have the pleasure of knowing and would always go out of her way to visit and comfort people less fortunate than herself.

Gladys married Ernest Godwin Theodore SMITH, son of Ernest Bacon SMITH and Marion BINNIE. (Ernest Godwin Theodore SMITH was born on 15 Jun 1910 and died on 7 Feb 1972 in Preston, Melbourne, Vic.). The cause of his death was Cancer of the pancreus.