Gladys Waugaman

Gladys Emma Waugaman of Greensburg passed peacefully 17 January 2020. She spent her last few days the William Penn Care Center under the loving care and watchful eyes of her long time care givers Mary Woods, Deb Galluci, Becky Barnes and the kindness of Heartland Hospice.

Gladys was born 3 September 1924 a daughter of the late Emma Miller McWilliams and Amos Clyde McWilliams. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Harvey, her high school sweetheart, to whom she was married for 63 years; Eight of her 9 sisters and brothers and their spouses also preceded her: Clyde McWilliams (Dorothy June), Harry McWilliams (Betty), Dorothy Campbell (Jim), Jane Smith (Paul), Clem McWilliams (Jean). June Bostrom (John), Louise Brodar (Steve), Ruth Rehill (Pete).

Gladys is survived by her sister, Gerry Havran ( Ken), sons, H. Byron Waugaman (Kathleen) and G. Lynn Waugaman; grandson, Sean B Waugaman and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gladys a lifelong lover of music which started when singing Hymns as a child on WHJB Radio Sunday Mornings. In school she sang in many Musicals, Operettas and bands. Later in life she spent 40 years with her sister Dorothy singing in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church.

After High School in 1944, Gladys entered the Cadet Nurse Training Program at Westmoreland Hospital and after graduation was assigned to the U.S. Army Kennedy Hospital Memphis, Tennessee.

Gladys and Harvey were married after Harvey’s return from combat in Europe in anticipation of his impending departure for the war in Japan. The wedding became much more joyful as the end of the war was announced just before the wedding took place.

Gladys spent a number of years as a nurse at Westmoreland Hospital before raising her family and providing private nursing care. She later joined the family business at Waugaman’s Market with her husband Harvey and her sister in-law Geraldine and husband, Ellis Claar. Many of the favorite recipes and catered dinners were the result of her cooking skills.
Travel was a favorite pastime throughout her life introducing her boys to life outside of Greensburg, visiting Europe, many US states and the Caribbean. Gladys was a past Matron of Eastern Star and was active in her community. She was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ for more than 70 years. A faithful servant of God in every way she will be truly missed and is now at peace with Harvey.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday from 4 to 8pm in the KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg.

Services will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 10am with Pastor Shirley Musick officiating.

Interment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Trinity United Church of Christ, 139 North Main Street Greensburg Pa. 15601.

For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.