Mary "Glady" Ivy

Feb. 24, 1928 - April 28, 2018

Mary Gladys (Burns) Ivy passed from this earth early Saturday morning April 28. “Glady” was born February 24, 1928 in North Bend; the oldest of nine children of Robert Burns and Ella Ida (Wasson). Her death was preceded by those of her parents; her brothers, Jim, Ken and John; her sisters, Lois, Joyce, Bev, and Naomi; and best and closest friend Cousin, Joan. She was married for 43 years to Fred Ivy, who passed in 1994.

Glady is survived by her son, Donald and wife Lucinda; daughter, Corrine and husband, Greg; grandson, Jonathon and wife, Soo and great-grandson, Elliott. She is also survived by her youngest sister, Rose; many nieces and nephews and cousins; and her dear friends, Linda, Ginger, Edna, Carolyn and Phyllis.

Glady grew up and lived in Charleston. She attended the Charleston School where Ruth Shutter was her favorite teacher. She attended North Bend High School until her sophomore year, when she quit school for a job at the soda fountain at Davey Jones Store (“Locker”) in Charleston. At 18, she traveled to Portland to live with her “Aunt Minnie” (her mother’s sister) and younger cousin Joan, finding work for the Portland Housing Authority and later at Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone. After returning to the Coos Bay area in 1950 when she married Fred, she enjoyed a long and varied work career, finally retiring from General Telephone Company in 1987.

After retirement, Glady stayed busy as a volunteer, and is remembered for her many years of service to Bay Area Hospital Auxiliary, Friends of Shore Acres, RSVP, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and especially the Charleston Visitor Center. When not volunteering, she was traveling; pictures from Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Mexico and Canada fill many photo albums, as do people and places from nearly everywhere in the United States.

Her favorite color was lavender. Clam fritters and scallops her favorite seafood. Huckleberry pie her favorite desert. Bingo was a passion. Dr. Zhivago was her favorite movie, the theme song of that movie “Somewhere My Love (Laura’s Theme)” being her favorite song. She loved country music and loved to dance. And she loved soaking up the sun on her back deck, surrounded by her flower garden. At her death, she was the oldest Coquille Tribal Elder.

A small private graveside service was held May 1 at Ocean View Memory Garden in Coos Bay. A public Memorial Service and Celebration of Glady’s life will occur Sunday June 3 at 1 pm at Coos Bay Chapel, 685 Anderson Avenue in Coos Bay, with reception to follow at the Mill Casino-Hotel. It was Glady’s wish that any memorial contribution in her name be directed to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com and www.theworldlink.com.

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