Thelma M. Gleason,  beloved mother, grandmother

BELFAST — Thelma M. Gleason, 101, of Belfast, passed away Friday (Nov. 21, 2025) at Olean General Hospital, after a short illness.

Born May 1, 1924, in Caneadea, she was the daughter of Raymond and Bernice Deniston Haskins. On Jan. 29, 1944, in Caneadea, she married Richard Royal Gleason, who predeceased her Dec. 9, 1993.

Thelma attended a one-room school house for most of her education, but graduated from Belfast Central School. She then attended Westbrook’s Academy business school in Olean.

After receiving her education, she was employed as an office clerk for Rhodes Bakery in Olean. Before the birth of her first son the doctor instructed her that, due to her health, she needed to choose between her job and her baby.  There was no question, thus Thelma went on to become the best mother possible.

She loved family history and genealogy and enjoyed dining out.

Thelma was a member of the Central Hinsdale Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was very proud of her beliefs and loved all her Witness family.

She leaves behind two sons, Jerry (Linda) Gleason of Dansville and Ray (Linda) Gleason of Belfast; three daughters, Jean (Tim) Allen and Miriam Gleason of Belfast, and Ava (Simon) Edwards of England; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Thelma will be held at the Central Hinsdale Kingdom Hall, 4258 Route 16, Hinsdale, at a future date to be determined.

Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home and Memorial Service, Inc., Cuba.