Gladys Sara Roure's Obituary
Our beloved, Gladys Sara Roure, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at the
age of 77. Gladys was born on April 26, 1946, and was raised in Mayaguez, Puerto
Rico.
Gladys moved to Tallahassee in 1969 to complete a Master’s Degree in Social
Work at Florida State University. After graduating, she worked in her most treasured
role as a social worker with an afterschool program for young boys of single mothers
in Georgetown (Washington D.C.). She returned to Tallahassee and worked for many
years at the Department of Labor as a Worker’s Compensation Investigator and later
for the Attorney General’s Office in the Victim Advocacy program before retiring in
2011. She always took tremendous pride in helping people overcome adversity.
Gladys had many hobbies, including photography, dancing, racquet sports, volleyball,
softball, bowling, and billiards. She was known to be a master on the air hockey table
at Chuck E. Cheese on occasion. She closely followed Hollywood stars and film
culture and loved going to the movies. Gladys also had an intense love of music and
would travel across the southeast to see some of her favorites live in concert, such as
Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross just to name a few. She was passionate
about politics and equality and was also a lifelong supporter of the Sierra Club and
PBS.
She had a heart of gold that shone brightly for animals in need. She tended to
homeless cats in Tallahassee, opening her home as a refuge for countless rescues
over the years. Each cat and dog that shared Gladys’s life was a cherished family
member.
Gladys was a genuinely warm, caring, passionate, and funny soul, with a mesmerizing
intensity. She brought any room to life and filled the hearts of those around her. May
her spirit live on through all those she touched so deeply.
She is preceded in death by her mother (Aelis), father (Rafael), grandparents, former
partner and long-time chosen family Amy, and her many dogs and cats.
Gladys is survived by sisters Sonia (Jorgito) and Jeannette (Tuti), nieces and nephews
(Maria Christina, Jorge Jr., Lucien, and Arturo Jr.), as well as her chosen family in
Nicole (Claire) and, daughters Maggie and Abby, whom she always referred to
affectionately as “my girls”.
Donations in Gladys’s memory may be made to Tallahassee Animal Shelter
Foundation at animalshelterfoundation.org.
What’s your fondest memory of Gladys?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gladys?
Share a story where Gladys' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gladys you’ll never forget.
How did Gladys make you smile?