Gladys M. Breen

Friday, Oct. 14, 2016

Gladys Breen passed away on Sept. 18 after 93 years of life.  She was born and raised in Los Angeles, Calif. 

Gladys served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and later went to the University of Southern California under the GI Bill and received a degree in economics.

She married William H. Breen, Jr. in New York in 1952 and raised five children. After her retirement in 1985, she moved from Pasadena, Calif. to Cheyenne, Wyo. to live near her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Sunday Espinoza, and to be a part of her three granddaughters’ lives. When the family was relocated to Salt Lake City, Gladys, in her usual adventurous spirit, said, “I guess I’m moving too, then.”  She was never one to turn away from change.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, John and Clara Topolski; her husband, Bill; a son, Patrick Breen; and sisters, Jeanne Hansen and Dorothy Topolski.

Gladys is survived by daughters Susan Breen Espinoza (spouse Deacon Sunday) of West Valley City; Mary Breen of Palmdale, Calif.; sons William H. Breen III and John S. Breen of Pasadena, Calif.; granddaughters Lisa Espinoza Cvetnich (spouse Brad) of Herriman, Lauren Espinoza of West Valley City; and Linda Espinoza Yates (spouse Brian) of Kaysville; and great-grandchildren Riley and Scarlett, who always made her smile.  

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and caretakers at Golden Living Assisted Living and Brighton Home Health and Hospice for the loving care given to their mother/grandmother/great-grandmother. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 23 at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish. Online condolences may be offered at starksfuneralparlor.com. Donations may be made to Catholic Community Services in Gladys’ name.