Gladys Dutton was born on September 5, 1918 in Mobile Alabama. Her parents were Thomas Dutton and Angela Goyta Dutton. They named her Rita Gladys but everyone called her Gladys. She was the third child, the only girl of 6. Her brothers were Alfred, Thomas, Laurence, Ben and Harold.

She grew up in Merida, Mexico. At 14 she was sent to boarding school, first in Mobile then in Wales, UK. After finishing school, she returned to Mexico then went to Mobile to attend Nursing School and became a Registered Nurse. WWII was happening so she joined the US Navy and was stationed at the naval hospital in Newport News, VA for the duration of the war.

When the war ended, she returned to Mexico where she met and married Manuel Peraza. They were married in Mobile and lived in Merida for about 5 years. In October 1948 a baby girl was born they named her Eugenia and called her Genie. In 1952 the family moved to New Orleans where she worked as a registered nurse. In July 1955 a baby boy was born they named him David. A year later they all moved to NYC where they lived until 1962 when they bought a house in Mineola on Long Island.

During all these years she worked as a nurse, she raised 2 children and in 1971 she divorced Manuel and took back her maiden name. She worked as a labor & delivery nurse and helped deliver 3 of her 4 grandchildren. In 1977 she moved to Dunedin, Florida; she had many visitors from all over the globe and was her mothers caregiver for 6 years.

After her mother passed away at the age of 96 she went on many trips near and far making friends all over the globe. She cruised to Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands and the Panama Canal. An Elder Hostel educational trip to Australia and New Zealand was a favorite, as was the trip to Machu Pichu and the Galapagos Islands with David, Maureen and grand- daughter Alison.

In her mid-80s she went to Belize to see the Howler monkeys and from there traveled with Habitat for Humanity to the mountains of Guatemala to build houses. At least once a summer she drove from Dunedin to the northeast Georgia Mountains to stay in Tom and Genies cabin with friends. In her 90s she still went up to stay with Genie.

She drove to church and to the YMCA to swim; she did her own shopping and cooking, loved her little dog GeeDee, and lived on her own independently until she was 97. In 2015 she went into a rehab facility and then a skilled nursing facility near Genies home in Zephyrhills, FL. During these years she enjoyed playing Bingo, having friends and family visit, continued doing puzzles and playing Farkle. We celebrated her 100th birthday with two big parties last September.

On April 16th she slipped away peacefully in her sleep. Theres another angel in Gods heaven watching over us. Mom showed us how to live and how to do it with love and a smile. Well miss her greatly.

A gathering of friends and family and a small service in remembrance of Gladys will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 3 to 6 pm with a memorial service at 6pm at Hodges Funeral Home, 11441 US Highway 301, Dade City, Florida 33525.

All who attend are invited back to Tom & Jeans for refreshments - - - 6401 Birmingham Ave., Zephyrhills, Florida 33542.

Celebration of Life Service

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Saturday, May 4, 2019 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions Memorial Service

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Saturday, May 4, 2019 6:00 PM 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions