Born: September 8, 1940
Died: June 2023
Married: Pete Gladd
Children: Peter Lee Gladd, Shellie Lynn Manning, Lisa Mary Amorosi, Velvet Larissa Kopach
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, June 29, 2023
Mary Elizabeth Gladd
Mary Elizabeth (Salls) Gladd, a.k.a. “Mimi,” or “Sister,” passed away at home with her family by her side.
Born in Saranac Lake, on Sept. 8, 1940, the daughter of Harold and Melvina (Bordeau) Salls.
Mary grew up in Saranac Lake. She graduated from the Saranac Lake High School where she was an exceptional athlete, receiving many athletic awards and she participated in many clubs. At the end of her senior year, she fell in love and married her long-time loving husband H. Lee “Pete” Gladd on May 24, 1958. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary prior to his passing on Dec. 31, 2018.
During Mary’s lifetime, she enjoyed riding her horse, being a Webelo-Cub Scout den mother, flower and vegetable gardening, then canning her vegetables and bird watching. She was a beautiful crafter of all kinds of crafts, along with a passion for ceramics. Her greatest joy was going adventuring with her four children and six grandchildren and attending her son’s rodeos and car racing events; then became an avid watcher of NASCAR.
Mary was instrumental in starting the Lake Colby intersection garden, maintaining it with her husband for 11 years, now called the “Welcome Garden.” In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, she ventured out working at the floral shop on Academy Street, then a secretary-parts manager at M. Gladd and Sons car dealership. She was involved in the Cursillo through St. Luke’s Church, helped with the pageant’s costumes and assisted in the church’s consignment store.
Mary is survived by her children: One son, Peter Lee Gladd of Chiefland, Florida. Three daughters: Shellie Lynn (Gary) Manning of Saranac Lake, Lisa Mary Amorosi of South Glens Falls and Velvet Larissa Kopach of Conroe, Texas. Six grandchildren: Shauna (Adam), Nick (Chantel), Alexis (Cody), Anthony, Tanner and Brandon. She also has two great-grandchildren: Easton and Grant (a.k.a. “Frank” to Mimi), and her step-grandson Carter as well as many nieces and nephews. Three brothers: Theodore Salls of Lake Clear, Jerry (Mary Ellen) Salls of Gabriels and Steven Salls of Saranac Lake.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Harold and Malvina Salls; her brothers, Robert “Bobby” and Dennis Salls; and her husband H. Lee “Pete” Gladd.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983. A graveside service will be held at the Franklin Falls Cemetery in August, the date and time to be announced.
Family and friends wishing to remember Mary Elizabeth (Salls) Gladd may make memorial contribution, in lieu of flowers, to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
Family and friends can also share a memory, send a condolence and sign the online guest book at www.fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
