Gladys Mae Middleton ZlotnickiNovember 15, 1931 - January 23, 2025

    Gladys M. Zlotnicki, 93, passed away Jan. 23 in Sanford, N.C. She was predeceased by her husband, Major B.M. Zlotnicki (U.S.A.F. – Retired).
    Gladys was born in Lewistown, Mont., and raised in Deer Lodge. She graduated from Powell County High School and attended the University of Montana for two years. She then moved to Albuquerque, N.M., with Sandia Laboratories. It was there she applied for a Civil Service position overseas and in 1956 departed to Madrid, Spain, to work in the Joint United States Military Group. Her position required a Top Secret security clearance, working knowledge of the Spanish language and “a great deal of discretion” while working for three different general officers. During her off time she went to bull fights (even got in the ring a couple of times with younger bulls), acted in plays, and met Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway and pilot Jackie Cochran.
    She met and married 1st Lieutenant “Nick” Zlotnicki while in Spain on the Rock of Gibraltar and had their first child, Kristina Marie, in Madrid. Upon her husband’s transfer to Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., her son Michael Steven was born. The family went on to six more base assignments in Maryland, Colorado, Washington again, Nebraska, Guam and South Carolina (retiring there). Nick spent many months abroad on various deployments, so Gladys often had to be Mom and Dad and credited those “alone” times for preparing her for life after his death in 2020. At various times, Gladys enjoyed bowling, volunteering, reading, cooking, sewing, bridge, decoupage and figure draping. She was there for her children’s every sporting event or activity.
    Later in life, she loved being a grandmother, doting on her four grandchildren. She babysat during teacher workdays, stayed for weeks when each child was born, traveled to birthdays wherever, and attended countless dance recitals and school graduations. She found joy in any situation in her busy life. Even as her health declined, her sense of humor and love of life never wavered.
    Gladys is survived by daughter Kristina (husband Marty Boermeester and granddaughter Katie) of Windham, N.H., and son Michael (wife Renee and granddaughters Caroline, Olivia and Nicole) of Garner, N.C.
    There will be no formal services at Gladys’ request. Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home in Sanford is handling cremation, and her ashes will be interred in Sanford and spread off the Outer Banks and in Montana.
    Donations can be made to hospice, any shelter or rescue (women’s, pets, homeless, vets) and the Red Cross.
    The family wishes to thank Parkview Retirement Village and Amedisys Hospice for the wonderful care and comfort Mom received, as well as singing with her (also many thanks to Mr. Luke for a special playlist).
    Gladys, a woman of principle and opportunity, lived life on her terms with joy and love for friends and family.
    “I shall be telling this with a sigh, Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost    Arrangements by Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home. Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.