| Graduation Year | Class of 1930 |
| Date of Passing | Feb 28, 2011 |
| About | Gladys Burgess October 10, 1913 - February 28, 2011 Biography Gladys M. (Eldridge) Burgess, 97, died on Monday, February 28, 2011, in the family home in Bourne Village where she was born on October 10, 1913, to C. Blanche (Andrews) and Howard H. Eldridge. She lived 97 wonderful years in the house built in 1888 by her grandfather. She was predeceased by her husband, Leon A. Burgess, whom she married in 1938. They were married for 61 years and lived in the Eldridge family home where they brought up their two daughters. She was also predeceased by her sister, Marion E. Baillie, and her son-in-law, Bruce D. Cody. She graduated from Bourne High School in 1930 and had attended her 80th high school reunion last year. She was a 1934 graduate of Simmons College. After college she worked for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce until her marriage. In the 1940s she began what would become a 35-year career as secretary with the Bourne school department. She first worked for the superintendent of schools, took a few years off when her children were young, and in the 1960s was asked to work in the principal’s office at Bourne High School. In the late 1970s she transferred back to the superintendent’s office where she worked until her retirement in 1984. She had come full circle both beginning and ending her career working in the same position and also ending her career in the same building where she started first grade in 1919. After retiring she continued as a volunteer in the superintendent’s office for another decade. She was a member of the Bourne United Methodist Church for over 70 years. In 1940 she was a charter member and first president of the Women’s Society of Christian Service. In 1968 the society became the Bourne United Methodist Women and she also served as its first president. Later she was treasurer for many years. She was an active church member, volunteering as Sunday school teacher, and working on countless suppers, fairs, receptions, the newsletter, and various church committees. She was a life-member of the Bourne Historical Society, serving as clerk, research editor and contributing writer for the newsletter, Post Scripts, volunteer in the Windmill Gift Shop, biscuit baker for the Strawberry Festival, and many other activities. She was Girl Scout leader in the 1950s when her daughters were growing up. She had a lifelong interest in the natural world and particularly enjoyed bird watching, searching for wild flowers, walking along the Cape Cod Canal, and star gazing. She enjoyed all kinds of literature, but drew strength especially from the poetry of Emily Dickinson. In the last year she became interested in Haiku and had written some herself. She remained interested in local and world events and enjoyed discussing them. Cats were always an important part of her life, from her first cat, Moppet, when she was a toddler, to her last companions, Caper and Pumpkin, who kept her company in her final days. She was a member of the Bourne Women’s Club and had served as its auditor; Massachusetts Audubon since 1950; Bourne Society for Historic Preservation; Thornton W. Burgess Society; Piscataqua Pioneers; Sandwich Historical Society; Bourne High School Alumni Association; Simmons College Club of Cape Cod; and Friends of the Bourne Council on Aging. Visiting hours were held at the Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home, MacArthur Boulevard, Bourne on Friday, March 4 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Funeral was held on Saturday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bourne United Methodist Church, 37 Sandwich Road, Bourne Village, followed by burial in Oakland Grove Cemetery, Shore Road, Bourne. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the the Bourne United Methodist Church or the Bourne Historical Society. |
