February 13, 1932 – September 28, 2024
Gladys May Corrigan Roy was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 13, 1932, and lived in the Flatbush neighborhood as a young child. Her mother, Gladys Fox Corrigan, one of 10 children, immigrated from Redcar, England. Her early years were spent in Darien, Connecticut with our beloved grandparents Gammy and Poppa. With a gift for art, her career began at Darien High School, with amazing drawings, watercolors and sculptures at the early age of 15. She attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School and worked in Stamford, CT. Marriage led to two children, Deborah and Scott, and ultimate relocation to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she was a partner in Joseph T. Roy Realty.
Gladys created beautiful, tasteful nests each time we moved! Happy years in Fort Lauderdale included raising children, tennis, swimming, boating, beach life and theater. Gladys ultimately followed Deborah to Winston-Salem where real estate again caught her fancy, this time with Hubbard Realty where she worked for 24 years and had a reputation for being creative and adventurous. This is where her art career began to flourish again as agents engaged her to create house portraits for their clients. Notable creations were depictions of Reynolda Village properties and Graylyn, sold there to this day. Houses led to portraits of beloved people and pets, giving her clients forever memories. Gladys also sculpted, taking lessons from the esteemed Earline King, and even started figure skating in her 60’s!
Gladys loved dragonflies and reflected all they symbolized … courage, strength, happiness, transformation and spiritual growth. She was a long-time member of Centenary Methodist Church. An active volunteer, she was a member of the Corporate Volunteers for Kindergarten Readiness, on the Board of Directors of Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, and received the award for Community Volunteer for the Elderly from the Junior League in 2001. Gladys was heavily involved with the Alzheimer’s Association where she helped start the Hope Chest thrift shop and was the fundraising chair for three years. She was on the Board of Directors from 1988-91, was recognized for Outstanding Service, and received the Gladys Cain Pulliam Memorial Award in 1990. Gladys was also heavily involved with the Second Spring Arts Festival and coordinated a Visual Arts Day.
Gladys is survived by her daughter, Deborah, son, Scott (Lizzy), grandchildren Carter (Cassie), Turner, Tyler (Maja), Katie (Thomas), Hannah and five great grandchildren.
Add Comment