Gladys Gauvin Tardy

TARDY, Gladys Gauvin, 86, YARMOUTH, March 15, 2011. A spring interment will be in St. Mary’s North Main St. Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.

YARMOUTH – Gladys Gauvin Tardy passed away peacefully on March 15, 2011. She was born Gladys Marie Gagnon on June 22, 1924, in Cyr Plantation. Her parents, Fred and Amedie Cote, had eight children.

In 1942, Gladys married Hector Gauvin. Together they owned and managed apartments for many years, and raised their family in Presque Isle. Hector went back to school to earn a business degree and eventually opened his certified public accountant business in his home. For one year, they operated “The Snack Shack” in Mapleton as well. Gladys’s famous Italian sandwiches were a favorite among their customers. Hector passed away in 1961, when Gladys was only 37. While raising a family of six children, Gladys continued to own and manage apartments and work for Mrs. Bruna Olore for 21 years at the Roma Café in Presque Isle, helping with cooking. Her specialty was her cream pies, which were the talk of the town. She also shared a special friendship with Mrs. Olore.

After 21 years, Gladys married Hanford Tardy, who passed away in 2008. She spent many happy years in Florida before returning to Maine in 2004. A very devout and strong parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gladys was a member of the Legion of Mary and was a lifetime member of the Daughters of Isabella, Mary Magdalene Circle. A very kind and loving lady, Gladys was constantly reaching out to help friends, as well as strangers, who were in need. Gladys’s greatest love and joy was her family.

Gladys was predeceased by two sistes and five brothers.

She is survived by children: Del and Tom Goode of Bangor, Ray and Sandy Gauvin of Mapleton, Diana and Tom Tilley of Ocala, Fla., Gilman and Connie Gauvin of Plantsville, Conn., Gary and Pam Gauvin of Bar Mills, and Lisa Jack of Yarmouth; ten grandchildren: Lynette, LeAnne, Mark, Michele, Christopher, Andy, Amy, Nicole, Erin and Ryan; and ten great-grandchildren: Christine, Melissa, Sydney, Jaslyn, Victoria, Antoni, Francis, Teodor, Imogen and Carmen. Gladys is also survived by a special cousin and his wife, Adrien and Leola Gauvin of Madawaska; a dear friend, Eleanor Grow of Mars Hill; and dear friends, Joe and Gloria Olore of Presque Isle.

Relatives and friends called 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated 10 a.m., Saturday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle. Spring interment will be in St. Mary’s North Main Street Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Gauvin Scholarship Fund, 749 Pulcifer Road, Mapleton, ME 04757. Online condolences may be made at www.duncan-graves.com