Inez Leland Glass

We know if Iny read this obituary, she would humbly say, “Oh, it was nothing.” But those who knew her recognize this isn't true—she was a truly extraordinary woman.

“I'll do it!”

Inez Leland Glass burst into this world in 1922—born in the family home. She was the youngest of 13 children and dubbed “the bawl baby” by one of her brothers. Even as a child, Iny loved to serve others. In fact, she volunteered for chores so predictably that when her family bought her a new bicycle, they hid it in the wood shed and asked if anyone wanted to carry in wood for the stove. “I'll do it!” was Iny's stock answer, and she quickly discovered the special gift.

Young Iny attended University Place Elementary where she played in the harmonica band, memorized long poems, and walked the family cow to the school field each day—allegedly to keep the grass trimmed.

Her father Oscar died when she was four. She remembered him as a multi-talented, gregarious man who was always bringing someone home for dinner. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He must have had a sense of humor, once giving tiny Iny a pinch of snuff and laughing as she sneezed.

Her mother Inger nurtured Iny in many ways, teaching her to work hard and love the Lord. Inger was a strong woman who mowed the family farm with a scythe and knew how to keep the wood stove at an even heat using peat and various species of wood. “The coffee pot was always on,” Iny once recalled, “and we all drank it all day—even us kids.” Iny loved to tiptoe down to the kitchen at night and sleep next to the warm stove and sometimes melt her crayons on its sides—much to Inger's chagrin. Iny's deep faith in and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, passed down to her from Inger, gave her purpose and strength throughout her life.

Living out in the sticks of University Place, Iny had to catch a trolley or bus each day to attend Stadium High School in downtown Tacoma. She graduated at 17, enrolled for 1 year at UPS, then earned her nursing license after 3 years at Tacoma General Hospital.

Always eager to serve, Iny joined the war effort in 1943. She received a commission as a lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps and was stationed at Cottesmore Air Base in Rutland, England. She met Eugene Glass there; they were engaged in Paris and married after the war in Virginia.

As a young married couple, Iny and Gene were on the move, living in Turkey and Okinawa, as well as Atlanta, Georgia. Their children were born during this time: John in 1947, Kathy in 1949, and Robert in 1950. Iny's fourth child, a daughter, died at birth in Georgia.

After close to two decades of being on the move, Inez and Gene built a house in UP just up the field from the old family home, the “Leland house.” During the next decade, Inez worked as a registered nurse for Dr. Hoskins, Abilene House, and Orchard Park Nursing Home. She also endured the tragic death of her husband.

Iny's desire to help the elderly began at a very young age. She vividly remembered seeing an elderly man weeping at his wife's funeral. She wondered then, “He is so alone—who will take care of him now?” Her dream came to fruition in 1968 when, through a series of miracles, sheer determination, and the help of family and friends, she began construction on Cottesmore Nursing Home. Under Iny's tender loving care, the home grew and grew, providing a comforting environment for so many over the years, including four of Iny's siblings. She once said, “We did it for the Lord. It’s His work and it’s going to go on.” Her faith motivated her to serve others, especially the helpless.

Iny was a tireless administrator, roaming the halls and rooms, lighting up many, many lives with her joyful smile and caring heart. Sometimes she worked so late, she would be found the next morning sleeping in one of the empty beds.

Forever serving, Iny created the His Continuing Care fund for patients who could no longer pay the bills. She also started a childcare center in the nursing home to serve staff and community children.

She retired from Cottesmore in 1996 but continued to love the home for the rest of her life, making weekly trips across the bridge to visit patients and attend chapel services.

Iny was a committed follower of Christ. Her faith was an active and vibrant one which she expressed in endless acts of service. She generously supported missionaries and ministries; she had a difficult time saying no to anyone who asked. At Neighborhood Church in UP, Iny served as a Missionettes leader for 20 years, and lead the senior group on many adventures; she attended the church faithfully her whole life.

Always proud of her Norwegian heritage, Iny traveled to Norway in 1996, back to the valley her parents were born in. Of course, she was overjoyed to be with family and make new friends. Shortly after arriving, her traveling companions noticed she was starting to speak Norwegian. When they pointed this out, she said, “No, I'm not!” The language flowed out naturally after all those years. She loved to keep up traditions, making lefse on a regular basis and attending the annual lutefisk feast at Peninsula Lutheran Church.

Iny always tried to stay in contact with everyone she knew. She traveled to Virginia multiple times to fellowship with the Glass family. She enjoyed reunions with her flight nurse friends. In 1987, she met her 'step-daughter' Ginny for the first time and enjoyed seeing her almost every subsequent year. The line between family and friends didn't seem to exist for Iny; she dove into the lives of those she met.

Iny's love of coffee, lefse, chocolate rolos and a good steak were shared with family and friends around a table full of stories, laughter and prayer. Her grand and great grandchildren found comfort in the unlimited candy in her bread box and endless Klondike ice cream bars in her freezer. She provided thousands of pizzas for ravenous teenagers and her home was always open to friends and strangers.

In recent years, it became difficult for Iny as she grew less mobile. She was a doer, always wanting to serve others and meet new people. She continued her ritual of visiting the elderly at Cottesmore all the way to the end—and never without that humorous twinkle in her eye.

After a major heart attack, she returned to Cottesmore as a patient—it was not a huge transition to the second home she loved. She eventually moved to Harbor Place of Cottesmore, and it was there on June 17 that she went to sleep on earth and opened her eyes in the presence of her Savior.

Iny's life was one of joy and sorrow; she lived it to the fullest and for others. She was the Golden Rule incarnate; with her joy and selflessness, she enriched the lives of so many and became all the richer for it.

Iny will always be sorely missed by those who knew her, yet we rejoice for her as she reunites with all those who have gone before and meets her beloved Jesus face to face. She has fought the good fight, she has finished her course, she has kept the faith.

Remembrances may be made to a ministry Inez cared deeply about:  Tim and Jill Stewart serving in Thailand. Please make checks to:  RCE International, PO Box 4528, Wheaton IL, 60189 (With account #28902 on the memo line). Or give online: https://rceinternational.webconnex.com/28902

Viewing will be at Haven of Rest Funeral Home in Gig Harbor on June 21st Sun from 2 – 5 pm and Monday from 9 – 5 pm. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., June 23rd Tuesday, at Neighborhood Church, University Place. Burial will be at New Tacoma Cemetery. Arrangements by Haven of Rest, Gig Harbor. Please light a candle and leave condolences and memories for the family at www.havenrest.com in her guestbook. 

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