Gladys Boyce Butler Forsyth

Gladys Boyce Forsyth passed away peacefully in her Moses Lake home of 56 years on November 15, 2013. She lived 96 years on this earth and continues to live on in the many blessings she bestowed on her children, Cheryl Avena, Yvonne Cummings and Ryan Forsyth. She is also survived by many grandchildren and a growing gaggle of great grandchildren. Gladys was born into the rugged Canadian wilderness on May 12, 1917, to George Washington Butler and Ella Mehatable Boyce. The youngest daughter of 8 children, one of her favorite sayings was, “Many hands make light work.” Growing up in the Canadian wilderness made Gladys a self-sufficient woman who could face anything with a smile and a skip in her step. As proof of her pioneer spirit and can-do attitude, nine-year-old Gladys jumped atop the family bull. Why? Why not? In 1939, she married the love of her life, N. Scott Forsyth (deceased), and so began their 58 year journey together… A journey that would take them across oceans, gliding over dance floors and spreading the importance of family everywhere they went. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Latter-day Saints at the visitor center in Honolulu Hawaii, cruised to the Caribbean, danced the samba in Brazil, represented the LDS Church at the London All Church Dance Festival and Gladys even rode baby elephants in Thailand. Gladys was famous for her award winning apple pies, homegrown organic tomatoes and out of this world array of berry jams. She loved teaching her children and grandchildren how to work in the garden and the benefits of being self-sufficient. A natural born and gifted teacher, Gladys taught ballroom dance, cake decorating, quilting, piano, sewing and canning to anyone both professionally and anyone with an interest in learning. She took a great deal of pride in having taught many young men in Moses Lake to dance properly and the leadership skills that come with that skill. Gladys was a trailblazer and had a great interest in alternative nutrition and health. She preached the importance of taking supplements, acidophilus and being physically active. And she didn’t just talk the talk, she walked the walk. When cancer struck in the 1980’s, Gladys converted to an all, “live food” diet, eating raw vegetables and wheatgrass shots for months. A bold step but it paid off, she was cancer free for the rest of her life. A funeral service will be held at 10AM on Friday, November 22, 2013 at the Jesus Christ and the Latter-day Saints Stake Center at 1515 S. Division Street, Moses Lake, WA 98837. A viewing will begin at 9AM at the church. The burial will take place immediately afterwards at Pioneer Memorial Gardens.

Gladys Boyce Butler Forsyth

May 12, 1917 - November 15, 2013