Obituary of Gladys Lorraine Tatem

Gladys Lorraine Tatem served the Lord with gladness Gladys Lorraine Tatem age 83, went to her home in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 . She was the loving wife of Stewart M. Tatem of Eastford. Gladys was born on August 12, 1922 to John and Arville Ettell of Teaneck, NJ. She grew up in northern New Jersey and spent her summers on Crystal Pond in Eastford. In her late teens she met and later married Stewart Tatem - the nice boy from the other side of the lake. Gladys was a secretary, first at Teaneck High School and then at Tatem Manufacturing Co. of Eastford. She was a supportive mom of three children. Gladys enjoyed sewing, knitting, gardening and was a great cook, especially appreciated for her delicious pies. Gladys served in many capacities at the Congregational Church of Eastford, including Sunday School Superintendent and Deaconess, where she was a member for over 60 years. She and Stewart have been members of Gideons International for sixty years. Gladys held local, state and national leadership positions in the Womens Auxiliary of Gideons. She was privileged to distribute New Testament scriptures to nursing staff at various local facilities. Besides her husband of 63 years, Stewart, she leaves her son Richard and wife Judi Tatem of West Unity, NH; son David and wife Kris Tatem of Hartford, WI; and daughter Beverly and husband Bruce Lindemann of Eastford, CT. She also leaves 8 grandchildren: Debbie and husband Russ Hagen of Ackworth, NH; Dan and wife Angela Tatem of Northwood, NH; Missy and husband Ben vanEe of Madison, WI; Glenn and wife Alison Tatem of Cliffside Park, NJ; Stephanie and husband Dave Eckelman of Saugus, CA; Logan and wife Katie Tatem of Port Washington, WI; Carey and husband Matt Penney of Vernon, CT; and Torrey and wife Kim Lindemann of Manchester, CT. She was also blessed with 8 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. A service of celebration will be held at the Congregational Church of Eastford on Saturday, January 28 at 1:00PM. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Congregational Church of Eastford, PO Box 177, Eastford, CT 06242. To share a memory with the family, Light a Candle at www.smithandwalkerfh.com