What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
Obituary
Gladys was born in Havana, Cuba in 1930. the oldest of 3 children born to Rosq Amelia. She was the daughter, grand daughter and niece of women who wove lace by hand and made clothes for Havana's most fashionable ladies, Gladys was raised as a maker and a creative, learning to sew and make her own clothes and jewelry as a child, a hobby she enjoyed until her final days.
When her father was tragically killed in a work accident, Gladys only 10, quit school to help her mother care for her two younger brothers Luis and Jose. .Although largely unschooled, Gladys taught herself English and as a young lady, scored a coveted office job at a large book binding company in Havana. Havana in the 50's -- the Vegas of the Caribbean -- was teeming with cabarets, casinos and starlets, While American tourists spun the roulette wheel and sipped daiquiris, locals of Gladys' generation were forbidden from working except in the most menial positions. Locals were fed up with high poverty and the double standards that favored the few at the expense of the many. With a revolution brewing, Gladys left her beloved Havana with a suit she'd fashioned for herself and landed in Miami. Later that year, Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government and severed ties with the US. Rosa Amelia pleaded with her daughter to come home, but it wasn't to be. Little did she know that like so many Cuban immigrants, Gladys wouldn't see her mother or her homeland again until 1974.
In Miami Gladys took work as a nanny and housekeeper, a job she was grateful for but quickly grew dull. Without a winter coat and never having experienced winter in, October of 1960 she headed north to the bright lights of New York City. She rented room in a ladies boarding house on Riverside drive where the cold winds off the river were enough to send anyone packing.. But Gladys was determined to ,make it. Always a fun and outgoing person, In NYC she made many friends including Theresa (Tete) and her husband Chao, a latin night club promoter. She spent days doing odd jobs and nights at dances and movies, another of Gladys' passions. At one of these parties she met Miguel Angel Echegoyen, another Cuban who'd been in NY for several year and had two lovely daughters from a previous marriage, Karen and Josie. Two year later Mike and Gladys married and moved to a small apartment in the projects in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn where in 1964 Gladys gave birth to her only child, Helena. One of her biggest regrets was not having more children, but it was not to be. After 10 years, Mike and Gladys separated but never divorced and remained cordial until Mike's death in 2022.
Gladys enjoyed a 20+ year career at ATT, first as an international operator, and later as one of the first Spanish-speaking fraud investigators, a job she found very satisfying and where she made many life long friends. Her office was on Canal street in lower Manhattan near Chinatown. A passionate foodie, Gladys loved to take Helena to random Chinese restaurants and order items she knew nothing about to amuse herself and confound the waiters. "Lets go" was her answer 100% of the time to any restaurant and a Pina Colada her go to cocktail on birthdays and celebrations. She was a lifelong explorer, traveling with a small child and later solo to many different countries including France, Mexico, Venezuela and Bermuda. Eventually retired, Gladys moved back to Miami and later Los Angeles to spend more time with her daughter. While she never learned to drive, she would happily hop on a bus well into her 80's. She loved food, music and shopping and had a special fondness for World Market and the 99c store. A crazy plant lady, Gladys loved flowers and plants of all kinds and colors -- even fake ones. Christmas was an explosion of decorations, poinsettias, cards and gifts and Gladys celebrated many Cuban traditions including the birthdays of the Cuban patron saints. An avid crafter until her last days, Gladys loved sewing, making earrings and necklaces and spent many a happy hour playing her 400+ records and singing out loud. She was easy to make friends of strangers on the street or the bus, generous with her time and kindness and had many friends all over the globe. She loved talking on the phone and was a kind advice giver, always putting the bright side on things. In 2015, she moved in with her daughter and her son-in-law Mike Nobrega whom she adored. Together they enjoyed many hours sitting on the porch, having meals, eating ice cream, singing and watching TV together.
Gladys was 94 when she peacefully passed after only 1 day in hospice. Gladys is survived by her daughter Helena, son in law Mike, and step daughters Josie and Karen, several cousins in Massachusetts and many, many friends and neighbors all over the US that loved her. Her infectious laughter and generosity of spirit will be missed.
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You shared your wisdom and traditions. You were a bit of my partner in crime and weekend mischief around the house just to make Helena (and ourselves) laugh!
You loved music and some days I would come home from work and hear you singing, loudly I might add, for hours along to all your records, tapes and CD's. You always knew all the words.
You loved flowers, coffee and snacks, and sometimes, we'd even have a beer together. You were clearly Juana (the cat)'s favorite human. We had so much fun at Holidays, and on trips together just spending time. Halloween will always be my favorite, we all laughed so much!
It's just not going to be the same world without you, but having the time I had with you,the memories in my heart, are a gift you shared with me and will always make me smile (and maybe tear up a little bit too).
Love you Gladys!!
Mike
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