On Friday, December 6, 2024, Gladys Nazario Adams, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband and family.

Gladys was born on October 29, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York. She was the oldest daughter of Marciel Nazario and Lucilla Costillo and raised by her grandmother, Juaqina Lugo.

When Gladys was 18 she met and married her husband Earl Adams. They married in 1955, had 4 daughters and 1 son and lived in Long Island, NY. The military life took them to Long Island, Italy, Texas, Florida, and eventually Utah in 1976. After raising her family, she returned to school and received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse at Ogden Regional Hospital and then Heritage Park Nursing Home until she retired in 2007. In 1989, at age 52, she decided to join the Army Reserves Nurse Corp, entering as a 1st Lieutenant and leaving as a Major. She was activated to Germany during Operation Desert Storm and participated in a humanitarian mission to Guatemala in 1999. She took great pride in serving her country for 11 years .

Gladys lived a very full life. She was feisty, strong willed and adventurous. She had an unquenchable thirst for travel and embraced every opportunity to explore new places. Her voyages took her to Australia, Europe, Alaska, Russia, China, South America, Africa and everywhere in between. Her fascination with elephants and big cats spoke to her love for nature and its most majestic creatures. The memories created and the friendships made on these journeys were treasures she held dear and loved to share with those around her.

Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of her husband of 68 years, Earl Adams, their children, Debbie, Cynthia, Earl Jr., Teresa, and Connie (Scott).

Gladys is survived by her husband Earl, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her sister Nancy. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research.