CWA St George and Sutherland Shire member Gladys Shute fondly remembered

‘No recipe she couldn’t make’: A baker extraordinaire who found herself on Burke’s Backyard for her famous Christmas cake recipe, renowned across CWA branches in NSW, has died.

Gladys Shute, known affectionately as Glad, died last month at age 97 and was a life member of the St George and Sutherland Shire CWA Branch. Picture: Supplied

A great, great grandmother who dedicated more than 40 years to the Country Women’s Association is being remembered as an extraordinary baker.

Gladys Shute, known affectionately as Glad, was farewelled on Tuesday after dying last month at age 97.

Her legacy will continue through her delicious Christmas cake recipe that was renowned throughout CWA branches across NSW.

Mrs Shute was made a life member of the St George and Sutherland Shire CWA branch and at various points took on the demanding role of president.

She lived in Earlwood for most of her life but always made the time for the CWA branch and its various activities.

For many decades Mrs Shute competed at the Royal Easter Show in the baking competition, which was where she met Wailyn Marr, the current branch president.

Des and Gladys Shute, who were married for about 60 years.

“Glad was well respected in the CWA,” Ms Marr said. “Her forte was baking and she helped a lot of people, giving them tips and recipes.

“She was the reason I joined the CWA.

“Glad was warm and once she got to know you, she was a like a shoe that fit really well and was comfortable.

“She was friends with a lot of people.

“Everyone will miss her dearly but her memory lives on.”

Mrs Shute hung her “competition apron” up and became a cookery judge for the Royal Agricultural Society, while also awarding the best bakers in CWA competitions.

“Glad competed in the CWA’s cooking competition, and we have three levels – branch, group and state, the latter being the Holy Grail held at our annual state conference.

“Glad succeeded at them all, then became a judge.

“She travelled the state judging different competitions.”

Ms Marr said Mrs Shute will fondly be remembered for her Christmas cake, noting she was interviewed on the ABC each year and appeared on former television show Burke’s Backyard to show off her recipe.

Ms Marr said her friend was highly skilled in all areas of baking including butter cake, date rolls and lamingtons.

“There was no recipe she couldn’t make,” Mrs Mar said.

“She was quite happy to share her recipes. I use her recipes all the time and that is how her legacy will live on.

“When we got younger members into the branch she would share her recipes with them.”

Mrs Shute, nee King, was born in Orange on April 22, 1925, before she moved to Wellington.

She went to school and became a waitress before she met her husband Des at the age of 19 in 1946.

Gladys King and Des Shute on their wedding day in Sydney.

They bought their first house in Marrickville and then moved to Earlwood where they lived together for 60 years and had four boys, Neil, Terry, Steve and Jeff and later a grandmother.

Terry Shute gave a eulogy at his mother’s funeral service on Tuesday where he said she liked making her sons’ clothes, loved to cook and the family had a strong bond that still existed.

At the time of her passing, she had 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and seven great, great grandchildren.

He said his mother loved Christmas Day, especially making food “for a small army,” and would often be able to “whip something up” when guests visited.

In the 1970s, she joined the CWA.

Mr Shute said she “relished” her time with the branch, particularly enjoying working at street stalls to sell cakes, books and crafts to raise money for disadvantaged children.

He said she was loved and respected within the CWA.

In 2017, she was honoured by the National Council for Women with a luncheon at Parliament House to acknowledge her contribution to women and the community over many years.

After her husband passed, Mrs Shute moved up to an aged care facility near Port Stephens to be closer to her family.