Gladys graduated from Eastside High School, Paterson, N.J. in 1938. She then went to work as a Stenographer for NYC bank until marriage to Swante C. Swenson in 1941. Gladys and Swante lived in NJ where Gladys was a homemaker and her husband owned and managed The Morris County Fair. After her children were grown she taught preschool for 10 years. In 1981 Gladys and Swante moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida. In N.J., Gladys and Swante owned River View Stables and were active in running the Rockaway Valley Riding Club housed there.  Gladys and her husband coordinated a host of horse shows and gymkhanas.  She also assisted her husband during the Morris County fair. She ran the beauty pageants, assisted with horse shows, rodeos, and extra duties in the office.  Gladys was active in the Methodist church circles in both N.J. and in Gulf Breeze.  In Gulf Breeze she was a member of the Santa Rosa Shores Homeowners Association and The Rosettes later renamed The Santa Rosa Shores Women’s Club. Gladys was a founding member and helped to write the first set of by-laws for the club. Gladys was recognized by the Santa Rosa Shores Women’s Club for her fine needlework; unselfish commitment to her community and gracious, warm friendship. Gladys’ special interests included a variety of crafts: knitting, crocheting, crewel work, cross stitching, and sewing.  Her home was filled with a constant progression of projects in various stages of completion, including many crafts for church bazaars.  She received great joy being with friends playing bunko, bridge, golfing, and other activities. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Gladys loved cooking, preparing new recipes and hosting parties and other get togethers.