HOLDEN- Gladys A. Staples, 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 31, 2021 in Bangor, Maine. She was a kind and loving wife, mother, and grandmother with a unique gift for making people smile and feel special and included. She collected hugs and hats and her door was always open to visitors. Gladys was well-known for her sweet spirit, her gentle voice, and her deep love for Jesus Christ, her family, and her friends.
Born at home on the family farm in Dixmont to Raymond and Nellie (Benson) Gould, Gladys was the eighth of thirteen children, with five sisters and seven brothers. Growing up she enjoyed caring for animals and participating in 4-H, working summers in Ogunquit before graduating from Lee Academy in 1959. She went on to study at New Brunswick Bible Institute before moving to Bangor and working as a nurse’s aide.
Gladys married Robert W. Staples of Swan’s Island on November 10, 1966 at Columbia Street Baptist Church in Bangor where they remained members for many years while raising their family. They had two children before settling in Holden and adopting two more, fostering several other children along the way. Bob and Gladys later joined The Church of the Open Door in Hampden (now known as Discover Church).
As Jesus Loves the Little Children, so did “Mumma Gladys” and as her own children grew, she continued to nurture little ones from her big heart at her small, in-home daycare.
Gladys enjoyed cooking, gardening, and sewing and lovingly passed on her skills to others. She had fun with crafts and word-search puzzles, shopping, and keeping in touch through letters and phone calls. Gladys liked going for walks and she loved going to church as often as she could. She especially enjoyed admiring all the new babies and she treasured the fellowship she shared with friends in her small prayer groups. Her favorite colors were sky blue and baby pink.
Her family and friends will miss seeing her in her cute hats and pretty scarves, with her little wave goodbye from the doorway after every visit. Her heartfelt prayers and words of encouragement touched the hearts of many and her demonstration of Christ’s love will continue to be an inspiration to us all.
In addition to her parents, Gladys was predeceased by her beloved husband of fifty years in 2017; her daughter, Julie Staples-Churney in 2013; her daughter, Joanna Staples in 2018; her son, Matthew Staples in 2019, as well as her brothers, Richard, Roger, Bruce, Gerald, and Keith Gould and her sister-in-law, Felicia “Faye” Gould.
She is survived by her daughter, Angela Staples and her husband, Jason Brackett; her grandchildren ,Ashleigh Staples and Samuel Staples; former son-in-law, Dave Churney; brother-in-law, Loel and wife, Barbara Staples & family of Lisbon; brother, Kenneth and wife ,Alberta Gould of Etna; brother, Brice and wife, Virginia of Dixmont; her five sisters: Marion and husband, Keith Elwell of Vassalboro; Adria and husband Jim Hughes of Monroe; Selda and husband George Maxsimic of Orrington; Charleen and husband, John Hand of Bangor; Carla and husband Tony LaRoche of Holden; sister-in-law Jennie (Cole) Gould of Albion; sister-in-law Linda Myers of Hampden; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as some very special neighbors and friends of all ages.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 am, Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the Discover Church, 270 Main Road, Hampden, with Pastor Mark Fowler, presiding. Those who wish to remember Gladys in a special way may make contributions to Discover Church, P.O. Box 777, Hampden, Maine 04444. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gladys Alma (Gould) Staples, please visit our flower store.
Born at home on the family farm in Dixmont to Raymond and Nellie (Benson) Gould, Gladys was the eighth of thirteen children, with five sisters and seven brothers. Growing up she enjoyed caring for animals and participating in 4-H, working summers in Ogunquit before graduating from Lee Academy in 1959. She went on to study at New Brunswick Bible Institute before moving to Bangor and working as a nurse’s aide.
Gladys married Robert W. Staples of Swan’s Island on November 10, 1966 at Columbia Street Baptist Church in Bangor where they remained members for many years while raising their family. They had two children before settling in Holden and adopting two more, fostering several other children along the way. Bob and Gladys later joined The Church of the Open Door in Hampden (now known as Discover Church).
As Jesus Loves the Little Children, so did “Mumma Gladys” and as her own children grew, she continued to nurture little ones from her big heart at her small, in-home daycare.
Gladys enjoyed cooking, gardening, and sewing and lovingly passed on her skills to others. She had fun with crafts and word-search puzzles, shopping, and keeping in touch through letters and phone calls. Gladys liked going for walks and she loved going to church as often as she could. She especially enjoyed admiring all the new babies and she treasured the fellowship she shared with friends in her small prayer groups. Her favorite colors were sky blue and baby pink.
Her family and friends will miss seeing her in her cute hats and pretty scarves, with her little wave goodbye from the doorway after every visit. Her heartfelt prayers and words of encouragement touched the hearts of many and her demonstration of Christ’s love will continue to be an inspiration to us all.
In addition to her parents, Gladys was predeceased by her beloved husband of fifty years in 2017; her daughter, Julie Staples-Churney in 2013; her daughter, Joanna Staples in 2018; her son, Matthew Staples in 2019, as well as her brothers, Richard, Roger, Bruce, Gerald, and Keith Gould and her sister-in-law, Felicia “Faye” Gould.
She is survived by her daughter, Angela Staples and her husband, Jason Brackett; her grandchildren ,Ashleigh Staples and Samuel Staples; former son-in-law, Dave Churney; brother-in-law, Loel and wife, Barbara Staples & family of Lisbon; brother, Kenneth and wife ,Alberta Gould of Etna; brother, Brice and wife, Virginia of Dixmont; her five sisters: Marion and husband, Keith Elwell of Vassalboro; Adria and husband Jim Hughes of Monroe; Selda and husband George Maxsimic of Orrington; Charleen and husband, John Hand of Bangor; Carla and husband Tony LaRoche of Holden; sister-in-law Jennie (Cole) Gould of Albion; sister-in-law Linda Myers of Hampden; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as some very special neighbors and friends of all ages.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 am, Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the Discover Church, 270 Main Road, Hampden, with Pastor Mark Fowler, presiding. Those who wish to remember Gladys in a special way may make contributions to Discover Church, P.O. Box 777, Hampden, Maine 04444. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
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