| “ | Gladys lived alone, died alone. I guess you could say she was a role model for Selma and me. She wasn't a rich woman, but she was rich in spirit. | „ |
| ~ Patty Bouvier's eulogy |
| “ | Don't die lonely like me. Raise a family, and do it now! | „ |
| ~ Gladys to Patty & Selma in her will |
Gladys Gurney was the sister of Jacqueline Gurney and possibly Lou and Edith, the maternal aunt of Patty, Selma, Marge, Arthur, and possibly Hortense, the sister-in-law of Clancy Bouvier, the maternal grandaunt of Bart, Lisa, and Maggie on their maternal grandmother's side, and the adoptive maternal grandaunt of Ling Bouvier. Most importantly, she was also the aunt-in-law of Homer Simpson on his mother-in-law's side. According to her sister, she died of a bowel obstruction at the age of 95.[1]
Marge tells Bart that she resembles Patty.
Name[]
Aunt Gladys is named as "Ms. Bouvier" by the executor of her estate, Lionel Hutz. However, as the spinster sister of Jacqueline Gurney, her surname should actually be Gurney. It can be inferred that Hutz has mistaken her name, or this can be regarded as a continuity error.
History[]
Funeral[]
Gladys's funeral was held at the Lucky Stiff Funeral Home in Littleneck Falls. In attendance were the Simpson Family along with Jacqueline, Patty, and Selma; and a number of other people. Gladys had apparently been thought to be a wealthy woman: when Patty (delivering the eulogy after taking over for the minister, who also mistakes Gladys for a man) said that she wasn't rich, everyone left except for herself, her sisters, their mother, Homer and the kids.
As everyone passed by the coffin to say their goodbyes, Bart took the opportunity to pull a prank. When it was Lisa's turn, she wished that she had taken the time to get know Gladys better, and Bart (hiding behind the coffin) said in a raspy voice, "Don't worry about it." This frightened Lisa so badly that she screamed and ran out of the room.
Reading of the Will[]
Gladys had retained lawyer Lionel Hutz to serve as the executor of her estate, and had left a video will. Hutz pointedly announced that he was earning his fee just by pressing the "Play" button on the VCR. Gladys began her will by reading the poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, but Homer fast-forwarded through the reading (to which everyone agreed except Marge).
Gladys's video will specify the following bequests:
- Lionel Hutz dubbed his own voice over Gladys's in an attempt to give himself a $50,000 inheritance but was quickly caught out by Marge.
- To Marge, Gladys left her collection of potato chips that resembled celebrities. Homer quickly ate them.
- To Jacqueline, Gladys left her pet iguana, Jub-Jub. Jacqueline was not pleased: "Why didn't she just leave me the bowel obstruction that killed her?"
- To Patty and Selma, Gladys left her grandfather clock and a warning about the dangers of spinsterhood: "Don't die lonely like me. Raise a family, and do it now. Now! NOW!" The warning struck a chord with Selma, but Patty was only pleased about the clock.
Legacy[]
Marge was left with some very happy childhood memories of Aunt Gladys, but she realized she had them confused with the romantic drama film The Prince of Tides.
Patty and Selma still expressed disbelief at her passing before stating her legend will outlive her either way. Homer, overhearing the comment, snarked that she'd live on as the "legend of the dog-faced woman."
Gladys's warning about spinsterhood made a very strong impression on Selma. It motivated her to investigate a dating service and a sperm bank as options for having a child; take Bart and Lisa to Duff Gardens to get a taste of parenthood; and ultimately to adopt Ling.
Appearances[]
Episode – "Selma's Choice" (videotaped will; corpse; Marge's imagination)- Episode – "My Octopus and a Teacher" (mentioned)
