Gladys Lillian Sjostrom
September 2nd, 2022
Gladys Sjostrom (MacMillan)
December 18, 1924, to September 2, 2022
Gladys Sjostrom (formerly MacMillan) passed away Friday, September 2, 2022, at the age of 97. She is predeceased by her husbands, Angus MacMillan and Ted Sjostrom; as well as her son, John MacMillan. She leaves behind, Bob (Heather) MacMillan, Marilyn (Wayne) Maughan, Kathy (Kurtis) Engler, Donald (Betty Jean) MacMillan, Carolyn (Bill) Robinson, Jeanne MacMillan, Angus (Shanin Neff) MacMillan, 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Mom was born and raised on a farm at Clandonald, Alberta, with her parents and two sisters. She was a tomboy who loved to hang out with her dad and help him with the chores. She went on to college and became a teacher. She loved her students and taught in small country classrooms. She met her future husband, Angus MacMillan, when she boldly walked across a dance floor and asked him to dance. They married July 7, 1948, and went on to raise eight children in Vermilion, Alberta.
Mom took her teaching skills and applied them to raising her children. She taught us how to bake and cook meals. She taught us the love of nature by taking us on picnics and exploring outside. She taught us to love music with her beautiful voice and piano skills. She entertained many friends and relatives in our home and we looked forward to her huge turkey dinners during the holiday season. She also travelled to conventions and far off places to support our dad, who was in the insurance and travel industry. During this time, we also remember her doing lots of charity work for the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). We remember her great love for our wonderful brother John and her strength when we lost him at the young age of 29. She also taught us the importance of a hug—she always had one ready to share.
Mom didn’t have time to pursue her own passions during her busy years of raising her family. However, she instilled is us a love of culture, passing on her writing, music, art and drama skills to us. We loved the stories she made up for us, especially Jackie in the Northland. She had the ability to bring her characters to life and make our imaginations soar. After our dad passed away, mom found solace by giving back more to the community. Besides CWL, she joined IODE and the Vermilion Library Board, where she met some wonderful friends. A few years later, she was lucky to find love again with Ted Sjostrom, a wonderful man who we all loved dearly. She rediscovered her love of the outdoors and enjoyed camping and fishing trips. Her camera was constantly in her hand, capturing nature as well as her family. Mom also rediscovered her love of painting, proving that it doesn’t matter how old you are to start doing what you love. She was an incredibly talented artist and won awards over the years for her paintings, and her artwork still hangs proudly in our homes. Mom and Ted eventually decided to move to Nanton, Alberta, and enjoyed many years there before Ted’s passing. She had many wonderful times with her family in Southern Alberta after being in Northern Alberta for so long.
Mom has left a void but her legacy will live on. Her love of music, art and family will reside in the hearts of those she leaves behind. We will be forever grateful and proud that we could call her Mom.
A Funeral Mass will be held on at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Nanton, AB, on Monday, September 19, 2022 at 11:00AM.
