Gladys Rone Cleven

born July 28, 1920, was the second of four children born to John and Kristine Rone of Seattle.Upon graduation from Ballard High School she worked at the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company before marrying Richard (Dick) Murray Cleven. They lived briefly in Bremerton and Seattle before Dick accepted a teaching job at Bainbridge High School. The couple then settled on Bainbridge Island where they lived for over 50 years.At age 8 Gladys received a violin and playing it became a source of pleasure throughout her life. In her younger years she played at Denny Park Lutheran Church in Seattle and also enjoyed playing at the Sorrento Hotel, at special events and on various radio programs. After her marriage and move to Bainbridge, she played at Bainbridge Bible Chapel and Keyport Bible Church, both of which she attended as long as her health allowed. Over the past number of years, the highlight of her week was to play with a music group in Brownsville.In early 2009 Gladys suffered a series of small strokes. Although she recovered, from that time on she was unable to move the violin bow across the strings correctly. She had played continually for 80 years!As well as playing her violin, Gladys loved visiting thrift stores and going to garage sales. Her home was filled with many of her "finds" and countless friends and acquaintances were the recipients of the treasures she found. She also loved being in the outdoors and spent most days working in her yard; keeping the weeds at bay and making trails through the woods near her home.With her husband's health declining, he and Gladys moved into assisted living at Montclair Park in Poulsbo 7 years ago. In 2009, soon after her husband passed away, she was able to just "move down the hall" to Haven Crest, their memory care facility. The family would especially like to thank their staff for the exceedingly kind and compassionate care Gladys has received over the past years.After a recent hip fracture and the onset of pneumonia, Gladys spent a week in hospital. With hospice support however, she was able to leave the hospital and "come home" to Haven Crest, where she was lovingly cared for until, with her family at her side, she passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on April 11, 2013. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Loren and Donna Cleven of Bainbridge Island; her grandchildren, Coleen (Matthew) Turner and Kathryn Cleven, also of Bainbridge Island; her sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Fred Monte of Camano Island; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband as well as her brothers Melvin and Kenneth along with their wives, Martha and Lorraine.In 2010 Gladys thoroughly enjoyed her 90th birthday celebration at Montclair. Thank you to so many family and friends who shared that special time with her. A family graveside service took place April 16th at Bonney-Watson's Washington Memorial Park cemetery.