Gladys C. (Wakkinen) Andrews

Gladys C. Andrews

Houghton --- Gladys C. Andrews, a former resident of Houghton, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Tender Touch Heart & Home in Elizabethtown, KY. She was born on February 23, 1935 in Painesville, Ohio, a daughter of the late Eli and Pearl Korpinen Wakkinen. On June 7th, 1958 she married John M. Andrews II who predeceased her on March 9, 2017

Gladys was always an avid reader and chose to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Houghton College. Coming from the small town of Painesville, Ohio, and not being sure if she could even afford a college education, she felt incredibly appreciative of her parents’ sacrifices to make it possible for her to attend Houghton College. She continued on to earn her Master’s Degree in Education in Buffalo, NY. Gladys worked as an elementary school teacher while supporting John’s dream of obtaining his PhD from MIT. During this time they began their family and Gladys gave up teaching to become a full time homemaker and a most nurturing and devoted mother to her four children.

The family moved several times over the years due to John’s career. John was an adventure and travel enthusiast which became a big part of the family’s lives. While visiting China in 1986, John and Gladys found out by telephone that they’d be new grandparents. Gladys’ voice was full of joy with the news. She loved and adored her grandchildren and was always eager to spend time with them and care for them. Gladys was dearly loved and a great blessing to her friends and family.

As a strong believer and seeker of God’s Truth, Gladys would always find a family church and bible study to attend wherever their current home was. Eventually they settled between two homes, one in Watchung, NJ and the other in Houghton, NY where Gladys felt blessed to be a part of the Women’s Bible Study group. Throughout her life, she spoke fondly of her precious Houghton memories as this was the place where she’d felt most at peace and at home.

Surviving are three children, David Andrews of Sacramento, CA, Carolyn McKeon of Basking Ridge, NJ, and James Andrews of Vine Grove, KY; eight grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband of 58 years she was predeceased by a baby sister at birth, and her son, John M. Andrews III.

Family and friends may gather from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at the Houghton Wesleyan Church where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N Genesee Street, Fillmore.

Memorials may be made to: Houghton College for the Lila M. Andrews Scholarship, One Willard Avenue, Houghton, NY 14744

Online condolences may be made at: www.koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com

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