Gladys Thomas Sessions

Gladys Thomas was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 22, 1901.  She was the oldest child of Robert and Rachel Thomas.  She spent most of her life in the Chicago suburb of La Grange where she graduated from Lyons Township High School as did her children and three of her grandchildren.  She attended Wells College as a pre-med student.  She did not go into medicine but married and spent her life as a homemaker. Her husband, Arch Sessions, was in residential real estate.  Gladys’ ability to build friendships was of great help in his career.

Gladys devoted her energy to furthering the educational goals of her children Bob, David, Don and Melissa.  Her sons all became doctors. Melissa followed her father into real estate.  Don became Professor of Otolaryngology at Washington University in St. Louis and published extensively in the medical literature. 

Gladys was involved in the La Grange Garden Club and a number of charitable causes.  She was a gourmet cook and superb hostess. She concentrated her attention on the person she was with, so that person felt a special connection.  This made her an ideal mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend. 

When Melissa at age 37 developed cancer, Gladys took over much of the care of Melissa’s three children.  She helped Melissa through her illness and her death six years later.

Gladys and Arch spent the last years of their lives in a nursing home in St. Louis.  Despite the loss of her vision and then her hearing, Gladys was always cheerful, outgoing and upbeat.

Gladys’ life was that of a typical homemaker of her day and age, but she perfected it so that she made an indelible impression on those who knew her.

Written by David L. Sessions. Honored by David and Frances Sessions.