GLADYS GOMEZ

GLADYS MALDONADO GOMEZ
March 6, 1922 - April 8, 2016

Gladys passed away peacefully at home.

Born and raised in Texas, she and husband Joe, moved the family to California in the 1950s and settled in the San Fernando Valley.

It did not take Gladys long to find a place for herself in service to others. She was active in her children's schools, her union, church activities and political activism. Adjectives such as giving, energetic and remarkable were commonly used to describe her.

Gladys was a fixture at the rectory at Our Lady of Peace. If something could not be found, the usual refrain was "ask Gladys."

Gladys generously devoted her time to MEND, the poverty agency in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. She managed its satellite food program at OLP. She got great joy at Christmas time preparing special boxes of food for MEND's area clients and enjoyed distributing gifts and toys to clients' children. She also collected shoes for the children's first day of school.

Gladys is survived by her five children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Vigil and Rosary Thursday, April 14th, 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 15444 Nordhoff St., North Hills. Funeral Mass Friday, April 15th, 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Interment at San Fernando Mission Cemetery follows.