Gladys Therza “Gug” Lakin passed away on the afternoon of Aug. 31 with her daughters and beloved Cove’s Edge caregivers at her side. She was 93 and is now rearranging Heaven to her liking.
Gladys was born Feb. 21, 1921 in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England to Sidney and Florence Charlton. Gladys attended local schools. After graduation, she was a baker’s apprentice and practiced the art of making beautiful cakes throughout her life. During the war she worked in a munitions factory to “do her part,” and during this time she survived many German bombings. She did, however, fall victim to one American serviceman, Donald Lakin, with whom she fell in love, and who brought her to America in September 1947. Gladys and Don made their first home in Fort Fairfield, a far cry from the bright lights of the city of Newcastle. From there they moved to Rockland, and in the early 50s settled in Newcastle where the city girl worked a farm for eight years, and where they remained for the rest of their lives.
Gladys worked in the 5 and 10 in Damariscotta, ran the Coffee Kitchen with her husband for a few years, and, after Don’s death in 1973 worked at Spinney’s on Route 1. It was at this time that Gladys found her true calling; in her early 50s, Gladys started a job at Coastal Economics in Bath, where she taught adult students to read, and where she helped people from all walks of life fulfill their dreams of obtaining their GEDs. For the last 10 of her 30 years helping others, Gladys taught at the county jail in Wiscasset, helping those who had run afoul of the law work toward a better life. Gladys invested deeply in her students, encouraging even the most troubled toward great things. She offered non-judgmental help, and wished only to see her students succeed. Her greatest joy in life came from watching those who had previously had no hope flourish and succeed. She was fond of telling her clients that nothing stood in their way, and she proved this to many of them through the years. She was recognized by Governor John McKernan for her commitment to the underserved and worked until ill health forced her retirement at the age of 80.
Gladys’ hobbies included baking wedding cakes, fruitcakes at Christmas, and elaborate birthday cakes for her grandchildren. She loved all handwork and excelled at knitting, which provided the family with cherished sweaters throughout the years. Her greatest passion was world travel, and she and a succession of friends “invaded” several countries through the years. Her favorite travel companion was her niece, Brenda, and, if she wasn’t available, “Gug” would grab a grandchild and be off to see Western America, England, or Africa. Christmas was her favorite time of year and she loved decorating and shopping in preparation. Perhaps her greatest gift was her wonderfully-involved fruitcakes. First timers were often amazed that there was actually a fruitcake that was edible. And hers was to die for.
Gladys was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Crystal Chapter Order of Eastern Star, and was Mother Advisor for the Damariscotta Assembly of Rainbow Girls for many years, a position she dearly loved. For years after retiring her post, she would be overjoyed to see any of “her girls” again. Her impact upon the lives of others was evidenced by the closeness people felt to her. Her grandchildren’s friends – all of whom knew her as “Gug,” would often drop by her house unannounced just to hang out – with or without her grandchildren present.
Gladys’ last five years were spent at Cove’s Edge being looked after by kind and loving people that she considered best friends and family. They often called her “the queen” because of her still-present British accent, as well as her ability to rule with an iron hand. She loved the title and tried to live up to its expectations.
Gladys was predeceased by her daughter, Patricia May; husband, Donald Lakin; sisters, Florence Sinclair, Elizabeth Oliver, and Joyce Hindle; and brothers, Leslie Charlton and William Charlton.
She is survived by her brother, Sidney Charlton and wife Marjorie; daughters, Barbara Lakin and companion Richard Elwell, and Sydney Faulkingham and husband Forrest; step-daughter, Leslie Dupell; many nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Michael Faulkingham and wife Sharon, and Amy Faulkingham; step-grandchildren, Robert Dupell, Debra Painter, Richard Dupell, Denise Dupell, and Todd Dupell and companion Kris. Gug, as Gladys was known by her grandchildren and their friends, had the pleasure of getting to know her two great-grandchildren, Eva Marie and Sydney Charlton Faulkingham before her death.
Visiting hours will be from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Fri., Sept. 5 with a funeral to follow at 1 p.m., at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home in Damariscotta.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Cove’s Edge Fund, which provides scholarships for the resident care staff at Cove’s Edge; c/o LCH Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
