Gladys McDew Pennington 88, of New Britain, CT transitioned from labor to reward on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at home. Gladys was a lifelong resident of New Britain, CT. she was the daughter of the late Thomas Jackson McDew, II and Meana Lucille (Stokes) McDew. Gladys, is known for being well educated, poised, and a loving person. She graduated from New Britain High School, class of 1946. Gladys continued her education at ST. Agnes Home School of Nursing. She was employed at New Britain General Hospital pediatric nursery unit, and worked at The Institute of Living, Hartford, CT. for 35 years, where she retired. Gladys then went on to work for the New Britain Y.M.C.A. for 18 years before retiring again. She was a lifelong and faithful member of Union A.M.E. Zion which is now known as the Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church where she served on the Deaconess Board, many of those years as president, she volunteered as the Church Clerk, was a fo unding member of the Gospel Chorus, Gladys was instrumental in starting the AIDS Ministry where she served as the Chairman for many years. She was also on the Mayor’s Advisory Task Force on AIDS and served on the AIDS Ministries of Connecticut. In 1958, Gladys embraced the principles of Elkdom and initiated into the Anna Warmsley Temple #1073 Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of The World where she was an active and dedicated member. Gladys served many offices and was the treasurer of New England States Daughters of Elks. She was the Grand Worthy Counselor of the Jurisdiction of Connecticut, Court of Calanthe.

Gladys leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Pamela Pennington-Morrison and son in-law Keates D. Morrison of Montgomery, AL, sister Jeannette L. Rivers and brother in-law E. Leon Rivers of Bloomfield, CT., granddaughter, Kayla Lashea of Morrison, Georgia. Her nieces and nephews, Kenneth McDew, Phoenix, Samuel L. Monroe III (Alvera), Linda C. Rivers, Laina A. Rivers, Leonard A. Rivers, Austin Rivers, Vivian Beal (Anthony). Her Goddaughters Phyllis Coleman, Julia Mathis, Ashley Gay and Shanta Williams. A dear friend Linda Vickers and her daughters Caitlin and Roslin and a host of cousins and friends. Gladys was predeceased by her brother, Thomas Jefferson McDew, sisters Carolyn H. McDew and W. Doris (McDew) Monroe and niece Sheila A. Monroe.
Homegoing Celebration for Gladys will be held Monday, December 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church, 25 Crestwood Lane, New Britain, CT. with the Rev. Jacqueline King, Pastor, presiding. Committal service and final resting place will be in Fairview Cemetery, 120 Smalley St., New Britain, CT. Relatives and friends may call at Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church, Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Pride of Connecticut Lodge of Elks #1437 – Anna Warmsley Temple #1073 will hold a ritual Sunday at 6 p.m. at the church. Service of Comfort provided by the Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, CT. To extend condolences to the Pennington family or to share a memory of Gladys, please visit shakerfuneralhome.com.