Gladys (Aurelius) Owens

North Greenbush - Gladys Owens, 92, died on January 3, 2023, at the Van Rensselaer Manor after entering hospice care.

Born in Troy, she was daughter of the late Harold Aurelius and Eleanor Smith Aurelius and wife of the late Joseph E. Owens. She was born and raised in Troy where she resided most of her life. Prior to the Van Rensselaer Manor, she resided at the Shenendehowa Village Apartments in Clifton Park. She was a graduate of Troy High School and Hudson Valley Community College where she earned her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Gladys was employed as a nurse at the Samuel Stratton VA Medical Center for 10 years, retiring in 1990. Earlier in her life, she worked for Montgomery Ward, the Bell Company, Hallmark Nursing Home and, in a full circle, the Van Rensselaer Manor.

Gladys was a volunteer friend of the Clifton Park Library and a member of the Clifton Park Senior Center. She was an avid reader and enjoyed swimming at the Clifton Park YMCA.

Gladys' pride and joy were her 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Having lost her own dear mother at age 11, Gladys became a fierce protector of her younger sister, Lorraine, and was supported and nurtured by her older sister, Marion, in the aftermath of that immeasurable loss. A feminist and staunch advocate for women's reproductive rights, an outspoken liberal Democrat and model of dignity, strength and grace, Gladys influenced her children and grandchildren to use their voices to speak their truth and hold firm in their convictions. Gladys was a stunning beauty and had a flair for fashion and glamour, especially in her youth. She always had her hair done and wore lipstick. Her wedding gown was hand sewn to her specifications by a neighbor who was a seamstress. She was devoted to her late husband, Joe, until he died in 2003. As a patient at VRM nursing home, Gladys never lost her nursing expertise and is known to have shared her knowledge and tricks of the trade with her own caregivers. She showed concern for fellow patients and did what she could to help them in their day to day. Gladys leaned toward gallows humor and loved Monty Python ('I'm not dead yet!'), comedians George Carlin and Louis Black and religiously watched the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. She made the trek to NYC to see the Daily Show 'live' after having hip surgery; canceling was not an option. Ever the contrarian, Gladys always loved villains in tv shows and movies - think Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz or Nellie and Harriet Oleson on Little House. She would cackle upon their entrance and think their antics were hilarious. In 1972, Gladys was initiated into Transcendental Meditation and maintained her practice through most of the ensuing 50 years. In her later years, she enjoyed travel and time at the beach. Gladys will miss her favorite books, going to the library, reading the newspaper, talking politics, trips to Loon Lake, DeFazio's hot Italian sausage, Verdile's Shrimp Scampi, Testo's pizza, fresh vegetables and berries in the summer and time spent with her beloved family. A true matriarch, Gladys was one of a kind and an incomparable light in this world.

Gladys' family wishes to thank the staff on A2 at VRM for their loving care. Special thanks to Jean, RN, (pronounced John) who has cared for Gladys for several years and was influenced by his interactions with her.

Survivors include two sons, Timothy R. (Carol/'Chick') Owens and David M. (Virginia) Owens; two daughters, Jill M. (Bernie) Vogel and Christine E. (Christopher) Ammon; grandchildren, Meredith, Brandon, Kevin, Dana, Chelsea, Conor, Eleanor, Emily and Ethan; 2 great grandchildren, Leah and Ava and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Marion Wells, Ruth E.Wells, Richard W. Aurelius, Sr., James Aurelius, Sr. and Lorraine McGrath and her granddaughter, Sarah Christine Ammon.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy from 3:00 - 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 8.

Funeral service will be held at the Gardner Earl Chapel, 186 Oakwood Avenue, Troy at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 9, with Gladys' cherished daughter-in-law, Reverend Carol 'Chick' Owens officiating.

Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Gladys Owens to Planned Parenthood or your local library.

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