July 4, 2012
Dunsford, Gladys
Gladys (Robbins) Dunsford, a resident of Westwood since 1943, died Tuesday, July 3rd at her home in Westwood. She was 97. Gladys was born January 19, 1915 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, the only child of Charles E. and Sheba S. (Ellis) Robbins. She graduated from Bradford College in Bradford, Massachusetts and then attended the Chandler School for Women in Boston. Gladys began her working career in the actuarial department of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in Boston. In 1943 she married Percy Dunsford and they bought the home in Westwood where she lived for the rest of her life. In 1963 Gladys was hired as an admitting officer for the Norwood Hospital where she worked for 30 years until her retirement in 1993. In the late 1970’s she took a real estate course and became a licensed Massachusetts broker, working for DeWolfe Real Estate in Westwood until they sold out to Coldwell Banker. After her retirement from the hospital she worked part time for ten years as an administrative assistant for the National Smoke, Fire and Burn Institute. In her spare time she crocheted afghans for the Red Cross and other charitable groups, and traveled extensively, including yearly trips to Prince Edward Island, and excursions to California, England and Bermuda. Gladys was the wife of the late Percy Dunsford who predeceased her in 1981. She is survived by her son David R. Dunsford of Westwood. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Friday at 10 AM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood followed by burial in Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree. In lieu of flowers donations to the First Parish of Westwood United Church, 340 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090 would be appreciated.