Gladys Irene Finlay

Gladys Irene Thompson Finlay
September 5, 1930 – January 18, 2026

Gladys Irene Thompson Finlay, known to most as Gladdy, passed away on January 18, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the age of 95. She was born on September 5, 1930, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, to Harry Arthur Thompson and Uzena Acker Thompson. From an early age, Gladdy displayed a love of music and performance. As a young girl, she sang on the radio with her siblings and became an accomplished yodeler—a talent she continued to share with others well into adulthood, often entertaining family and friends with humor and flair.

Gladdy was the mother of Gary D’Arcy of Little Current, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada; Marcia Louise D’Arcy Quiller of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Brian Douglas D’Arcy of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, who preceded her in death on January 31, 2016. She married Douglas Allan Finlay on June 23, 1962; he preceded her in death on April 27, 1996. She also became stepmother to Barry Dean Finlay, Daniel Lee Finlay, and Lori Dawn Finlay of Utah, and Karen Elaine Finlay Rehak of California. She was grandmother to 23 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 34 great-grandchildren, many of whom affectionately called her “GG.” In her later years, she enjoyed attending events for her great-grandchildren when she was able and staying connected through regular phone calls as her health declined. She was known for her generosity with food and treats, her fondness for Diet Coke, and her ability to make children feel indulged and well cared for during visits.

Gladdy had a remarkable memory and was an engaging storyteller, often recalling experiences from her earlier life with vivid detail. She enjoyed conversation and connecting with people and maintained many lifelong friendships, corresponding faithfully through handwritten letters with friends across the United States, Canada, and England. She was known to be a meticulous decorator, taking great care in her surroundings and the details of her home. Life required hard work from an early age, and she instilled in her children the value of diligence, self-reliance, and perseverance. She was a great seamstress, and loved to knit and crochet.

In her younger years, Gladdy was an exceptional Scrabble and Gin Rummy player and was known for her stamina and determination—once driving up to 1,000 miles in a single day to take her children back to Nova Scotia for summer vacations. Professionally, Gladdy was a talented hair stylist and makeup artist. She taught at Bruno’s College of Hair & Design and later worked in retail cosmetics for over two decades, taking pride in her skill and in helping others present themselves with confidence. She had a lifelong affection for small dogs, whom she adored and treated as cherished companions. In her 20s, Gladdy converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gladdy will be cremated at City of Oaks in Raleigh, North Carolina. Burial will take place later this year in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. She will be remembered for her yodeling, sharp mind, strong work ethic, storytelling, creativity, and the many ways she stayed connected with people throughout her long life. Gladdy will be missed by her family and friends and awaits our reunion on the other side of the veil.