Dale Bradway shares the story of his life with his wife, Gloria, and how hospice helped their family when she became ill.

WARSAW — This beautiful love story began 69 years ago at a skating rink during the couples dance. Dale shared, “Gloria began to fall and I caught her. She said I was her hero.”

They spent many happy years skating with their four children. “If you got love you got all you need in this world,” shared Dale.
Dale has very fond memories of his 69 years with Gloria. Her family had a small home on Chapman Lake since 1945 which later became their home. Gloria taught him how to fish. “I was a farm boy and had never been in a boat or fished,” shared Dale. Time on Chapman Lake was a source of great joy for Dale and Gloria. An old friend of theirs, John Davis, wrote numerous stories about Dale and Gloria’s fishing adventures for The Times-Union.

Dale and Gloria were blessed with one daughter, three sons, eight grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Their family often visits the lake to learn the art of fishing and enjoy the beauty of Chapman Lake. During the first 20 years of their marriage, Dale drove a brewery truck but was able to spend most evenings at home with his family. Growing up on a farm, Dale was used to working long days. Back then, a dozen eggs cost three cents and you were paid $1 a day and the banks required you saved at least 20 percent of the cost of a car or house to get a loan. “The only time we bought a new car was in 1954 and by 1956 it was rusted. After that we bought cars a few years old that already had the bugs worked out. For most today, it isn’t the high cost of living, it is the cost of living high that gets people in trouble,” stated Dale.

Life began to change when Gloria became ill. Dale and his children cared for Gloria for two years but toward the end Dale knew he needed more help. Kosciusko Hospice was contacted to provide support to Dale and his children during the last months of Gloria’s life. “I can’t say enough about the hospice team. Our hospice nurse Jackie became like family and Sarah always came with a smile and cared for Gloria with kindness. Bob and Amy helped us process the final decisions and have provided much encouragement and support for me since her death,” shared Dale.

“It was an honor to care for Gloria to the very end and witness the love Dale and their children have for her. Her family’s support made her last days peaceful,” stated Amy, medical social worker.