Gladys Hood, plate, spoon collector

Gladys Hood, 94, passed away Friday, July 7, 2023. She was born Oct. 26, 1928.

Gladys was raised and schooled in West Fairview, Pa. She married Charles William Hood, who preceded her in death in 1979.

In 2003, she retired to Seaford, and the last two years of her life were spent living with her daughter, Marie, at Plantation Lakes in Millsboro.

She is survived by her daughters, Marie Van Der Wall (James) of Millsboro, Sandy D’Agostino of Blairsville, Ga., and Gladys Charlene Gutierrez (Santiago) of Dayton, Ohio; her stepson, Charles Edward Hood of Los Angeles, Calif.; her grandchildren, Charlene Michelle of Williamstown, N.J., Charles Hood Jr. (Chuckie) of Cape May, N.J., Nicole Barr of Camden, Valarie Walls of Milford, Jay Van Der Wall of Albuquerque, N.M., Scott Van Der Wall of Nashville, Tenn., Karen Halsey of Safety Harbor, Fla., Tom Sterner of Bradenton, Fla., Christina Ilsley of Dayton, and Brad Ilsley of Dayton; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Gladys’ first occupation was as a waitress. Then she worked for the Rahway, N.J. police department as a well-known and beloved crossing guard, and for 10 years Milford Hardees was her place of employment. She was so valued there that she became the highest-paid hourly worker at any Hardees in Delaware.

She loved to watch TV, especially the Game Show Network, and many VHS tapes graced her home. Her plate collection and her spoon collection were quite extensive. She was always doing a jigsaw puzzle on a table.

A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 22, at Conley’s United Methodist Church, 33106 Jolyn’s Way, Lewes, conducted by her son-in-law Rev. Dr. James C. Van Der Wall. A fellowship meal will follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gladys’ name can be sent to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Arrangements provided by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

Electronic condolences via watsonfh.com.