Gladys B. Hastings, 92, of Keene and formerly of Harwich and Athol, Massachusetts died on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. She passed peacefully surrounded by the love of her family.
Gladys was the daughter of the late Bertha (Hobson) and Fred Walker, born on October 27, 1921 in Rutland, VT. She grew up in Orange, Massachusetts, and lived there until she married.
In 1944 Gladys exchanged vows with Alton B. Hastings in a simple service in Athol, and worked and raised their family there. They were members of the Athol Congregational Church for many years. Gladys and Alton were married for 57 years when he passed away in 2001.
Gladys was employed by the L.S. Starrett Company in Athol, Massachusetts where she worked in the etching department for fifteen years before retiring in 1981 to spend more time with her family. It was at that point she and her husband moved to Harwich and enjoyed twenty years of Cape Cod and Florida retirement. Gladys later moved to the Keene area to be closer to her family.
She enjoyed spending time with her family and celebrating all their special times. She enjoyed reading and taking back-road rides around the New England countryside. She was a long time and avid Boston Red Sox fan. It was a great thrill for Gladys to see the Red Sox win the World Series on her birthday in 2004.
Mrs. Hastings is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Nancy Allen and her husband Leslie of Chester, Vermont and Elaine Bieber and her husband Paul of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. She was Mimi to her grandchildren: Jennifer Marshall and her husband Nat, Amy Allen, Jessica Bieber and Philip Bieber, and her great grandchildren: Aliza Allen, Lila Marshall and Jackson Marshall. She was also Mimi to Lori Sparrow, Sarah Sparrow, Stacey Murphy and C.J. Sparrow. She leaves many nieces and nephews. Gladys is predeceased by her son Alton Nubby B. Hastings Jr. and her sister, Helen Woodward.
In keeping with Gladys wishes there are no calling hours. Burial will be private and take place in the family plot at South Cemetery in Orange, Massachusetts. A celebration of life will be held later this year. Donations can be made in memory of Gladys B. Hastings to: Camp Wiyaka C/O Athol YMCA, 545 Main St. Athol, MA. 01331. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431.WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com.
