Ashland--- Gladys J. Craig, 82, peacefully entered into rest Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at a Caribou healthcare facility, with her loving family at her side. She was born August 30, 1937 in Ashland, a daughter of the late Celestine and Doris (Clark) Cote.

Gladys was the long-time and beloved librarian of Ashland Community Library, where she worked over 44 years, until her retirement in 2015. She was a lifelong avid reader and cherished being able to share her love of reading with the many generations of children and adults who visited the library. Gladys was also one of the founding members of William Dalton Historical Society. She was a devout parishioner of St. Mark's Church, where she served many years as a former sacristan, Extraordinary Minister, church council member, religious education teacher and housekeeper. Though her spare time was rare, she always found a bit of time to cheer for her Boston Red Sox, or simply busy her hands by knitting many blankets and socks, which she loved to share with her family or donate to the yearly church Christmas sale. She is most fondly remembered by her many close friends and family sitting around her kitchen table just chatting the afternoon away; the thousands of cups of coffee that were shared around her table during her lifetime always brought laughter, memories, and counsel to all that stopped by.

She is survived by: three children, David Craig and his wife Vilma, Jennifer Paradis and her husband Kevin, and Joshua Craig and his wife Mandi, all of Ashland; four half-siblings, Conrad Cote, Deborah Allison, Carl Cote, and Dina Iovino, all of New York; twelve grandchildren; four great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a very devoted friend, Nan Belskis.

Besides her parents, Gladys was predeceased by her beloved husband of thirty years, Phillip Craig, in 1989

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 14, 2019, at St. Mark's Catholic Church, Allen Farm Rd., Ashland. Relatives and friends may greet the family Sunday 6-8:00 PM and Monday morning 9-10:45 AM at the church. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gladys' name may be made to: Ashland Community Library, PO Box 639, Ashland, ME 04732. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland.