Obituary of Gladys Raquel Welty

Gladys Raquel (Flores Santos) Welty, affectionately known as Super Gladys and Super G, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2019 in Hospice at the Eternal Life Care Home in Tucson, AZ where she lived for 3 years.  Born March 17, 1931 in Cayey, Puerto Rico, she is survived by a brother Manolin Flores Santos of San Juan, PR, her sisters Irma Flores Santos of Simpsonville, SC and Lindin Flores Santos of San Juan, PR, her daughters Selma Pinol Brown of Tucson, AZ and Ilse Navarro of Tampa, FL, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her brother Nicanor Flores Santos, her husbands Dagoberto (Davila) Pinol and Jack W. Welty, her son Dagoberto (Flores) Pinol, and her late life companion Michael Metletz. 

   A great believer in education and a life long learner herself, Mrs. Welty attended the University of Puerto Rico (Mayaguez), New York University, and Linfield College in Oregon, attaining an MSEd.   A true educator, she was most proud of teaching the English language in public schools throughout greater San Juan, and became a supervisor and career counselor before retiring in 1986.  Still enjoying working with young people and pursuing her creativity and sewing hobby, she then founded an event planning business in PR, planning, organizing and decorating mostly quincenieras, graduations and weddings.  In Puerto Rico, she counted Rio Piedras, Guaynabo, Santurce, and Old San Juan as home.  Upon moving to Tucson in 1995, she re-established her business as Tucson Fiesta Rentals, staying busy as owner/operator until 2004.

   A proud Puerto Rican and American, Mrs Welty was a staunch Republican working for statehood for Puerto Rico and as an election observer.  She was active with Club Civico de Damas de Puerto Rico and the Davis-Monthan Officer’s Club Wives, was a lover and supporter of the opera in PR and with the Tucson Opera League, and attended St Alban’s Episcopal Church until 2013.  Super G will be remembered for her self-deprecating way, as she was often heard to say “I don’t know anything about anything” or “Even when I remember I forget”, followed by her infectious laugh.  She was happiest visiting her family, interacting with young people, sewing with a cup of coffee, enjoying opera and when she was dancing.

Memorial Blessing

11:00  am    Saturday April 27, 2019

St  Alban's Episcopal Church

3738 N Old Sabino Canyon Rd

Tucson, AZ

85750

520-296-0751

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Celebration of Life

11:30 am   -  1:00 am   Saturday, April 27, 2019

Ventana Vista Condominium Clubhouse

5051 N. Sabino Canyon Rd

Tucson, AZ

85750

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation

Alzheimersprevention.org

[email protected]