Gladys Whyte, 94, previously of Fishkill, NY died peacefully of natural causes at the New York State Veterans Home, in Montrose, NY on October 10, 2021. Gladys was born in Hawthorne, NY on February 26, 1927 to the late Hugo and Gertrude (Joerchel) Mortsch.

Throughout her life, Gladys was a resident of Fishkill, LaGrange and Valhalla, NY. She graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1945 where she was voted "Happiest" and "Most Energetic". Throughout her life, she was always positive and rarely seen without a smile. On February 1, 1947, she married the love of her life, Adam Robert (Bob) Whyte of New Rochelle, NY at the North Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Rochelle, NY. Sadly, Bob passed away on August 15, 1980. After her husband's passing, she was determined to support herself and learn to accomplish things on her own.

Gladys was an adventurous and strong woman and lived life to the fullest. She found happiness in sewing and altering clothing and made all three of her daughters' wedding gowns. Gladys began her own alterations business for men and women and saved diligently for her travels throughout the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, China, Australia, Africa and the United Kingdom.

Gladys's all-time favorite activity was spending time with her children and extended family – camping, biking, traveling, and picnicking and she was happiest when she had a view of the Hudson River. Her favorite 80th birthday gift was a hot-air balloon ride when she soared above her beloved Hudson Valley to a soft landing in an Ulster County apple orchard.

Gladys was an Administrative Assistant at Van Reekum Paper Co. in NYC, NY where she met her future husband, Bob. Until her retirement in 1992, she worked in assorted departments at Arlington High School and Arlington Middle School.

Biking, bowling, volleyball, traveling, and volunteering, were her passions. As a member of the Mid-Hudson Bike Club, her favorite bike ride was along the west coast of Michigan. She volunteered for six years delivering Meals on Wheels to residents in Fishkill. She also volunteered at Stony Kill Environmental Education Center as a manor house greeter, did perennial garden maintenance and monitored the bluebird houses. Vanderbilt Mansion was another recipient of her volunteer garden work.

Gladys is survived by her brother Paul (Bud) Mortsch, her sister-in-law, Marie Mortsch, her children - Choo Whyte of Newbury, MA, Janet (George) Gaspar of Brewster, NY, Judy (Nick) Ciardullo of Mahopac, NY, and Robert (Traca) Whyte of Rhinebeck, NY - her 11 grandchildren David, James, Colin, Adam, Ingrid, Cara, Anna, Lauren, Carly, Amanda, and Allyson and 15 great-grandchildren; Lucca, Lachlan, Cameron, Annabelle, Jaxson, MacLean, Matthew, Jackson, Elise, Dean, Tessa, Harper, Zoe, and Poppy. She is predeceased by her sister, Gertrude Waggoner of Bethlehem, NH.

Calling hours will be Friday, October 22, 2021 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. with a service at 6:30 p.m. at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill Inc. 1089 Main Street Fishkill, NY. The burial service will take place at a later date and will be private at the request of Gladys's family.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org) or Dutchess County SPCA (www.dcspca.org)

For online condolence and Gladys' Book of Memories please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com