She was married for 66 years to the late John Balbick, who died on July 4, 2014. The couple lived in Batavia for several years where they raised 4 surviving children, Robert (Jane) Balbick, Mary Anne (Ronald) Metz, Elizabeth (Derek) Genesky, all of Batavia and Nancy (Edmund Schichtel) Balbick of Wyoming, NY and several grandchildren, Katie (James) Bellamy and Lauren Genesky of Batavia, Kristen (Brian) Degnan and Richard (fiancée Emily Roehl) Metz, of Buffalo, Matthew (Theresa) Metz of E. Aurora, Geoffrey (fiancée Jessica Matlin) Genesky of New York City, Michael (Shanna) Balbick of New Jersey, and Stephanie (Christopher) Miller of Rochester. Great-grandchildren Eleanor, Garrett and Levi Metz, Margaret, Molly and Erin Degnan, and Madeline, Mason and Liliana Bellamy also survive as well as several nieces and nephews.
Devoted to her faith, Gladys along with her husband, John, were active members of Resurrection Parish, Batavia, for several years. When the children were young, Gladys was an active volunteer, serving on the Bishop’s Committee and acting as chairperson for the annual church rummage sale.
Gladys was also very devoted to her family, always giving loving attention, assistance and acceptance to her children, grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren. She was loved by her adult childrens’ spouses as well as her many nieces, nephews and good friends and neighbors of the family.
Gladys and her husband, John, were avid dancers, enjoying Big Band music dances in Batavia, Rochester and Buffalo with family and many friends. The couple also enjoyed playing cards regularly with family and friends.
During WWII Gladys worked at Curtis-Wright, Buffalo, NY as an expeditor, aiding the war-effort by making planes that served in the Allied Forces. She also worked at the Batavia Daily News for several years in the mail room.
Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Monday (July 31) from 4-8pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, 9:30am at Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main St., Batavia. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph School, 2 Summit St., Batavia, NY 14020. Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.
