Gladys Marie Winchell

Gladys Marie Winchell, 88 of San Diego, California, went home to be with the Lord October 25, 2024, in Chula Vista, California.

Gladys was born the daughter of Harold Douglas Roat and Edith May (Ballard) Roat November 15, 1935 in Nanticoke, New York. Growing up on their farm allowed her to learn how to drive at the young age of 13 on their family tractor. Gladys played the cornet horn and loved marching bands. She graduated from Vestal Central School in Vestal, New York, and eventually moved to Beverly Hills, California in 1957 traveling cross country in a 4-propeller plane as a free and independent gal!

On June 2 1962, at the age of 26, she married George Winchell at the Church of The Nazarene in Santa Monica, California and took her white 1960 Mercury convertible on their honeymoon to British Columbia. Gladys and George moved to San Diego in 1969 where they raised their three children, Eric, Tamra, and Kevin. Gladys was a dedicated and loving mother who served the community as a Cub Scout Leader, a Girl Scout Leader, a PTA Mom, and the founder of the library at her children’s elementary school. Gladys also worked as a bookkeeper and office clerk before retiring and finally getting to complete her dream of vacationing in Hawaii. 

A social butterfly, Gladys served her church as a greeter and enjoyed afternoon luncheons with friends. She loved to laugh and was extremely witty. She never missed a beat and always had a quip or joke in her back pocket. You might remember a few such as, “nobody will notice that on a trotting horse!” or “home again, home again, jiggedy jig.” Gladys was also a loving, forgiving, and faith-filled person who cherished the importance of family and kept meticulous records of her family’s genealogy. She spoke to her sisters on the phone almost daily. Often awake before anyone else, Gladys would use this time to read her Bible, drink tea, cuddle with her cat, solve puzzles, and work on her craft projects. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Eva Roat of Endicott, New York and Dorothy Hafey of Murietta, CA.Survivors include her loving husband, George Winchell of San Diego, California; three children, Eric Winchell and wife Cynthia of Killeen, Texas, Tamra Winchell of San Diego, California, Kevin Winchell and wife Dixie of San Diego, California; one brother, John Roat and wife Marilyn of Camden, New York; two grandchildren, Kate (Winchell) Cook and husband Morgan of Belton, Texas, Russell Winchell and wife Kassandra of Nolanville, Texas; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial: Miramar National Cemetery, December 6, 2024 at 11:30 AM