Gladys Robinson

A Long Life Committed to Christ, Family and Friends

Gladys Robinson, a life-long resident of Staten Island and tireless supporter of her community and church, went home to be with the Lord on August 8, 2024. Gladys was 89.

Gladys’ long life was filled with joy, adventure and service. An avid traveler, she coordinated cruises for her church, St. Philips Baptist Church, Port Richmond, leading excursions to Carribbean islands, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, while taking more leisurely trips to Alaska and Panama.

Baptized on Easter Sunday April 1, 1945 into the church family at St. Philips, Gladys spent her entire life in service to the Lord, beginning with participation in the Youth Choir and Junior Usher Board, extending that commitment to Christian leadership and served as church clerk, past president of the Senior Choir, and Hospitality Ministries and a member of the Progressive Nurses Club. In addition, to her work with the St. Philips, Gladys was active with the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and the Staten Island chapter of the AARP. Gladys graduated from Curtis High School and pursued a professional life in administrative services and office management. Gladys retired in 1998 from the New York City Department of Finance, Tax Commission.

Gladys’ life was marked by a capacity to help others, whether it was providing service to sick and homebound members of her church, or offering an ear or helping hand to family, Gladys was a rock to hold on to when confronting a personal storm.

Gladys married native Staten Islander Douglas Robinson on May 1, 1953 and after some years bought a home and settled in Mariners Harbor. They remained married until his death in 1986, and together raised four children – JoAnn (who predeceased her in 1972), Brenda Louise Carreras (Richard), Douglas Russell Jr.(Terri), and Darrold Robert. Gladys is survived by three grandchildren(Taneesha, Douglas and Nicole) and four great-grandchildren( and a host of nieces and nephews who fondly remember her as a raucous player of Pokeno, Bingo and Bid Whist.

Friends and family may pay their respects at St. Philip's Baptist Church, Port Richmond 77 Bennett St. on August 15 at 9am, with the Funeral Service beginning at 10 am.

Burial to follow at Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Road, Staten Island, New York, 10306.