Obituary of Gladys F. Guba

   Gladys F. Guba, 97, of Utica passed away on July 12, 2023, peacefully at her daughter’s home in Massachusetts.

     Gladys was born in Utica on November 21, 1925, to Walter and Antonina (Chilipala) Okraski. She was raised and educated in Utica and earned a degree from Utica School of Commerce following her education at Whitesboro High School. She was united in marriage to John Guba, a blessed union that lasted over 74 years. Until her retirement, Gladys was employed at Equifax as an Executive Secretary, where she exhibited her flawless expertise in language and editing.

     Gladys was raised on her family farm in Deerfield, NY, and shared her pride and wonderful stories of her upbringing with family and friends.  Through the hardships of the depression, she learned invaluable skills in resourcefulness, compassion, generosity, and homemaking which she passed down to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren over the years.  All were welcome in her home where they were immediately served a tasty home-made meal, desserts, treats and a seat at the card table.   During the holidays, at lively family gatherings, Gladys would add to the fun with her self-taught skills at the piano or on her accordion accompanied by her brother, Steve, on his harmonica.  She and John would ensure the house was filled with Polka music on the weekends, where they would often dance together in the kitchen.  

     Gladys especially loved tending to her garden, where she grew a variety of flowers and berries.  June and July were the months you would find her dressed in John’s old clothing of long sleeves and long pants, deep into the berry bushes, foraging for the ingredients in the next round of hand-crafted deserts (and of course, a huge supply to freeze for next time). 

     Gladys was admired for both her perseverance and warm spirit.  Even into her last days on this earth, Gladys was grateful to greet guests with a huge grin, but first insisted to do the dishes and tidy the house before their arrival.   It was this drive that kept her mind sharp, her relationships healthy and her family well. Gladys absolutely thrived by taking care of her loved ones.

     Gladys is predeceased by her husband John (December 2020) and survived by her children Wayne Guba of Utica and Gail Guba McDonald of the Boston MA area; five grandchildren, John (Blair) Guba, Kimberly Irla, Allen, Hannah and John McDonald; two great grandchildren, Josie and Quinn Guba and many nieces and nephews.  Gladys was predeceased by a close-knit family of seven brothers and sisters.

     Calling hours for Mrs. Guba will be held on Saturday July 15^th from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica, with a service to be held at 12:00 noon at the Funeral Home.  A burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, North Utica.