Gladys L. Dunn

Gladys L. Dunn went home to be with her Lord and daughters, Anita and Laura on Sept. 1, 2014.

Gladys was born to James and Gladys Clay on June 17, 1927, at Fort Smith, Ark. Gladys grew up out in the country just outside of Fort Smith as an only child. Her constant companions were her dog and her horse. She was affectionately called “Snookie” by her friends and family.

Gladys attended grade school and high school in Fort Smith and graduated in 1945. She also attended nursing school in Ft. Smith and graduated in 1947. Gladys and her mother moved to San Diego, Calif., after her college graduation and she worked as a registered nurse in a hospital.

In 1949, she married Richard Knight. Two girls completed their family. Laura was born in 1951 and Anita in 1954. Their marriage ended in divorce. In the mid-1960s, Gladys and the girls moved to the Seattle area. There she worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years, walking many a mile. 

Gladys remarried in 1971 to Earl Dunn. After retiring from the USPS, Gladys moved to Medical Lake to be closer to her daughter Anita and family. 

She had her dream house built by Silver Lake. She enjoyed her home and yard, and also took numerous cruises during her retirement.

One of Gladys’ favorite hobbies was shopping, particularly for clothes. Besides being an outstanding seamstress (an art she learned from her mother), she knitted and crocheted many items, most of which were given as gifts.

Civil Air Patrol was an important part of her life as an adult and she achieved the rank of captain. She was also involved in Camp Fire as a leader.  She was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Cheney.  In her later years, Gladys was a member of Red Hats and enjoyed going out with the girls. 

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband Earl, her parents and both of her daughters. She is survived by her grandchildren: Anastasia Hernandez (Santiago), Richard Lindner (Serena), Matthew Lindner (Yuling), Candice LaVanway (Nick), Jayson Short, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and son-in-law Rande Lindner (Margie).

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Cheney, corner of Fourth and G streets in Cheney.  Memorial gifts can be made to the UMC of Cheney in lieu of flowers. Cheney Funeral Chapel, Cheney Wash. is in charge of arrangements.