Gladys Pauline Rosemarie Carlisle (nee Kirklund)

Gladys, born 15 February 1937 in Ryley, AB passed away peacefully at 88 years of age, surrounded by family and friends on 22 March 2025 in Kelowna, BC.

In her earlier years, Gladys, Vern, and their two boys would travel all over northern BC and Alberta building roads and airstrips in remote areas where she would raise the boys and cook and take care of the camp for the men. After that, she was very active in the standardbred racing community and was the first female trainer in the circuit. The family would travel up and down the west coast to compete. Then, after they no longer kept the horses, Gladys went on to work at the track as a teller, then the off-track in the Fraser Valley, where she retired from and moved to The Okanagan where she later helped open an off-track betting facility that she worked at for a few years before retiring again and taking on her role in the legion as an executive and bartender.

When grandchildren started to arrive, Gladys would take them out for all kinds of adventures, such as doing some laps while training the horses, beach days, water parks, camping, you name it. She had a zest for life and loving her family like no other.

Gladys loved to spend time with friends and family, gardening, and generally keeping busy whether playing darts with friends, bowling in a league, playing cards, and curling. In her later years she enjoyed quilting, volunteering at her local legion, going to activity groups, still gardening, and walking her little dog.

Gladys was predeceased by her husband - Vern, their youngest son - David, as well as all of her siblings. Survived and dearly missed by their oldest son - Mitch (wife Teresa), nephews - Ty, Tim (wife Pam), Wayne (wife Colette), nieces - Dianne (husband Dave), Debbie (husband Norm), Gwen (husband Stewart), granddaughters - Beth (partner Brent), Samantha, and Celeste, and great granddaughters - Gabriella, and Abigail, whose dad, Griff, is taking care of Gladys’ dog, Rocket, and many, many friends - some of which turned into family.

A celebration of life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion 23 August 2025 at 5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Royal Canadian Legion branch 288 in Westbank, BC. 

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