Gladys L. Cantrell was born on February 12, 1937, in Wolf Point, Montana to Leonard H. Poil and Bernice Hutchinson. She was the eldest of 8 children.
She worked at the Great Falls Head Start and was one of the original co-founders of the Great Falls Parent Center. Mom also worked for the Great Falls School District as a lunch lady, bus aide, and foster grandparent.
Mom was very active in the Great Falls Native community and ran the Native American Art Show for 25 years. She was instrumental in working to purchase the Native American Center by selling Indian Tacos.
Mom was married to Eugene Desjarlais who she later divorced. She then married John Cantrell until his passing in 1984.
She spent her later years with longtime companion James Welch, Sr. until his passing in 2006. Mom had 7 children and 2 adopted children.
To read the full obituary or share condolences, visit the O'Connor Funeral Home website.
