Remembering Gladys Sadler

From the August 20 obituaries in The Capital:

Gladys Sadler

Gladys Dolores Parks Sadler, 95, who was called the "First Lady of Eastport," died of natural causes Aug. 19 at her Eastport home after a brief illness.

Mrs. Sadler and her late husband, Cap'n Herbert "Herbie" E. Sadler, were the co-owners of Sadler's Seafood Market in Eastport.

According to a Jan. 7, 2001, article in The Capital, in the 1960s, the family-owned business located in front of O'Leary's Restaurant at the foot of Third Street and Spa Creek was one of the largest retail seafood operations in this part of the Chesapeake Bay. The community's landmark building was torn down in 2000.

A Cap'n Herbie Sadler Appreciation Day was held June 10 in Eastport at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, which Mrs. Sadler was able to attend. The event had exhibits of the Sadler equipment and history of the market, but it also celebrated the values members of the Sadler family shared with their community -- hard work, service, and care and concern for their neighbors. The Sadlers taught younger men how to be watermen on the bay.

Mrs. Sadler was born July 17, 1906, in Waterloo in Howard County, the daughter of the late William Edward and Nellie Gardner Parks.

She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Eastport and belonged to the Crabtown senior citizens, the Homemakers Club and the AARP.

She enjoyed fishing, bowling, traveling and crocheting as well as helping her friends and the community.

She was married on July 30, 1928, to Cap'n Sadler who died May 24, 1975.

Surviving are four daughters, Dolores "Dee" Monch, Pat Carrigan and Betty Meade of Eastport and Dottie Hemphill of Lutherville; two sisters, Leona Shaw of Eastport and Vye Parks of Glen Burnie; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was the great-grandmother of the late Raymon and Kara Davies.

Visitation is from 4 to 9 tonight and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St., where services will follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Cedar Bluff Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Eastport, 208 Chesapeake Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403, or the Annapolis Maritime Museum, 133 Bay Shore Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403.