Gladys M. Fritsch

Gladys M. Fritsch, age 100, a resident of Lancaster and most recently Elizabethtown, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on Friday, July 3, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Herman C. Fritsch, who preceded her in death in 2019.

Born in Pewsey, Wiltshire, England in 1925, she was a daughter of the late Jasper & Beatrice (Kingston) Head.

Gladys met her husband, Herman, in England while he was stationed during WWII. She immigrated to the United States as a British War Bride on March 27, 1946, a date which she still celebrated regularly. Once she arrived in the Lancaster area, she joined the Ground Observer Corps. in the 1950s and assisted the US Military with spotting airplanes from the old Griest Building of Lancaster.

She was devoted to raising her family. She volunteered in the cafeteria at Sacred Heart Catholic School for many years.

When not raising her family and keeping her home, Gladys and Herman traveled through both Pegasus Travel Group of Harrisburg and the Elizabethtown Seniors Group. They also enjoyed over 40 cruises together. She was proud to have sailed on the RMS Queen Mary and the RMS Queen Elizabeth.

She was also a prolific and fantastic knitter; making many sweaters and hats for family and friends over the years.

Through her later years, Gladys continued her membership with the Elizabethtown Senior Group and enjoyed her daily newspaper puzzles. In 2022, she hand knitted over 60 wool hats for Veterans and the homeless at the age of 96. Gladys had a life-long love for animals and spoiled many cats, 2 of whom are still being cared for by family.

Surviving Gladys are her children, Michael Fritsch (Rebecca) and Gloria A. Bogardus; 5 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Audrey Jarvis of Wales, UK; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service in the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 441 N. George St., Millersville, PA 17551 on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 11:00am. Her viewing will be held from 10:00am until the time of service. Entombment will follow in Conestoga Memorial Park, Lancaster.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that you make a contribution in memory of Gladys to your favorite charity that supports animals.