Gladys Green

Gladys, who was director of the Minneapolis SeniorNet program, died
Tuesday May 2, 2000 of cancer at the Kenwood Retirement Community in
Minneapolis. Services were held at St. Olaf Catholic church in
Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis SeniorNet is now renamed the Gladys Green SeniorNet in
remembrance of Gladys.

Gladys Green, from her seat as director of Minneapolis's SeniorNet
program had seen more than 1000 older students learn the ropes. Some have
even gone on to be instructors in the program. She had simple words of
advice on how to approach the strange keyboard and monitor. "Learning to
use a computer is like learning to play the piano. You can't just take
the lessons, you need to practice an hour a day," Green explained. Taking
that analogy a step further, she continued: "Once you learn the scales
and chords, you'll want to play a song." Green was sold on the concept
because it offered very individualized instruction. The Minneapolis site
is based downtown in the historic Wells Family College Building next to
Minneapolis Community and Technical College. "If students want to learn,
they'll learn," Green said. "SeniorNet is just there to back them up."
Most of SeniorNet's students have no previous computer experience, she
added. They're forced to do it, whether they want to or not, especially
when children and grandchildren ask why they can't send e-mail to them,"
Green said.

Gladys was also a former personal secretary and administrative assistant
at Dain-Bosworth, The Whitney Foundation, Lerner Publications; and well
known for her civic and religious involvements. Gladys was a current
member of Toastmasters. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sports, such
as ice skating, golf and bicycling. Gladys was a "world-traveler", having
journeyed to the Holyland, South America, Costa Rica, Europe, China and
the Caribbean, plus the USA and several visits to SeniorNet Centers
throughout the states.

"Gladys was our SeniorNet Extraordinaire. The personality that made all
our volunteers feel so needed and students loved her too. She was a great
friend and will be greatly missed" said a SeniorNet volunteer and good
friend.

JoAnne Boche

Last Update   6/21/2004