Gladys I. Quintanilla

March 10, 1955 - April 30, 2005

Service: May 7, 2005

Reception: May 7, 2005

Gladys Isabel Quintanilla of Redondo Beach, died Saturday, April 30, 2005, from complications with surgery at a hospital in Los Angeles, CA. She was born in Asuncion Mita, Jutiapa, Guatemala on March 10, 1955. In March of this year, family and friends came together to celebrate Gladys’ 50th birthday. She was the oldest of 5 siblings, Juan Carlos, Roberto, Soraya and Flor. She is survived by her father in Guatemala, her mother in Wilmington, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Gladys attended the University of San Carlos, Guatemala, where she majored in French and worked as a secretary for the Guatemala Department of Agriculture. Her original goal was to be a translator for the United Nations. Gladys came to Southern California in 1980 and fell in love with the South Bay. She lived the ''American Dream'', initially working in a factory and later obtaining her real estate license in 1986. She began her career at Tarbell Realtors, joined RE/MAX in 1988 and obtained her broker’s license in 1992. While working at RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty, she earned one of RE/MAX’s highest honors - the Lifetime Achievement award by serving over 1,000 clients. Just prior to her death, she completed a series of courses to become a Certified Commercial Investment Member. Gladys believed in education, hard work and high standards and generously shared her knowledge and experience with her family, friends, clients and colleagues. Besides her career, Gladys loved to read, play golf and travel the world. She will be best remembered by her happy demeanor, pleasant smile and infectious laugh.

Celebration of Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, May 7, 2005, at 12:00 Noon at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church, 1900 S. Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach, CA (North of Pacific Coast Hwy.). Viewing and reception will be held the same afternoon from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Rice Mortuary, 5310 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA (West of Prospect Ave.). Parking will be limited so please car pool. Interment will be in the family cemetery in Guatemala. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.