June 14, 1934 – Jan. 23, 2022

Gladys J. Bishop, 87, passed away on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Newport, Wash., at River Mountain Village Advanced Care.

Gladys was born in Spokane, Wash., on June 14, 1934, to Oscar and Florence Richardson. She had one older brother, Fred, and the family lived in Nine Mile Falls, Wash., where her father was a farmer.

The family eventually moved to Newport when Gladys was a child. It was here in Newport Gladys met her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Bishop. Gladys and Dick were married in 1952 and had two children, Craig and Jodee. Gladys and Dick briefly left Newport in 1954 when Dick was drafted into the Army and stationed in Texas. They returned to Newport in 1956.

In 1956 Gladys and Dick acquired the Roxy Theater that Dick and his father, Charlie, had built in 1951. Together Gladys and Dick operated the Roxy Theater for 51 years until they retired in 2007. They were married for 55 years until Dick passed away in 2007.

Gladys always referred to the Roxy Theater as a “labor of love.” She desired to be remembered for two things: “They ran a good show” and having the best “corn.” She felt honored to provide a central location of gathering, entertainment and memories for the community.

Gladys cherished her community in Pend Oreille County, the city of Newport and the Pend Oreille River. She referred to this area as “God’s Country.” Gladys was proud of the home she built with Dick on the Pend Oreille River. Her favorite activity at home was enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning while watching the bald eagles.

Gladys was a strong-willed businesswoman. She enjoyed actively participating in the welfare of her community through her involvement with various organizations including the St. Anthony Catholic Church. She truly valued the personal relationships she had with the people in her community and she touched the lives and hearts of many.

Gladys worked with the American Red Cross to bring public swimming lessons to Pend Oreille County that were held at Diamond Lake. She served various leadership roles including a term as president for the Newport chapter of Soroptimist, which is an international organization that provides girls and women with access to education and training to achieve economic empowerment. As president of Soroptimist in Newport, Gladys started an annual fundraiser event with the crab feed.

Gladys treasured every memory she made with her family. She had two children: Craig Bishop (Cindy) and Jodee Bass (Richard); six grandchildren: Derek Bishop (Elina), Jordann Coleman (Andre), Spencer Bishop (Megan), Taylor Bass, Lexi Kavanaugh (Connor), and Mercedes Jackson (Jordan); and nine great-grandchildren: Knox and Lynkin Bishop; Sasha, Carter, and Zara Coleman; Levi and Dagny Bishop; and Dolly and Palmer Kavanaugh. Gladys is preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Florence, her brother Fred, her husband Dick, and her son, Craig.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be announced for a date in the spring and published in the Newport Miner.

The family has set up an email account in Gladys’ name (gladysbishop1934.2022@gmail.com) for anyone to submit photographs of Gladys that can be incorporated into her future celebration of life. Private email messages can also be left at this email address for the family, in addition to public condolences on the website for Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Newport.