Sandra Perl Gladstone

Sandra “Sandy” Gladstone passed away peacefully in her home in Bradenton, Florida on April 4, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, cherished friends and caregivers.

She was born in Binghamton, NY, on April 20, 1940, to Jerome J. Perl and Julia Sall. Sandy attended Binghamton Central High School, before graduating from Syracuse University.

She learned to play golf as a teenager and enjoyed many years on the course and around the club. She married Alan M. Zalbowitz also of Binghamton, New York in 1961 and together they had four children. Many summers were spent as a family at Vestal Hills Country Club.

Her big heart and deep desire to help others drove her to achieve a Masters in Social Work from Marywood College, ultimately working for assorted organizations including Jewish Family Services in Binghamton. She was an ardent supporter of the Jewish Community, serving as an officer in Hadassah, a member of the Temple Israel Sisterhood, and doing yeomen’s work as a volunteer. The JCC was at the center of her heart, and she dragged her children to any and all social and sporting activities the JCC had to offer.

She went to Florida to visit a friend in the early 1990’s, out of curiosity, and in an effort to find something to do, she called Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Sarasota, Florida. When they asked if she was inquiring about the job posting, she played along, and when offered the job, she took it.

Moving to the Suncoast in 1994, she began the first of her 28 years as a social worker, therapist and counselor to the elder Jewish community and their families in Sarasota. She did this with a deep kindness and sincerity through her work with the Jewish Housing Council, the Kobernick-Anchin facility and in private practice. She only just recently retired at 81.

Soon after she arrived in Florida, she met Bernard Gladstone and they were married in 1996. As her sphere of influence grew in Florida, her ties to Binghamton could never be broken. The relationships she fostered with her friends and family from New York that started in early childhood matured over time, and her door was open to all. Her guest rooms turned over frequently and over the years the countless visits and holiday celebrations were filled with her warmth and joy. Good company was always joined with wonderful food and Sandy’s skills in the kitchen always made sure of it.

Her legacy is clear – she was principled and ethical. Her philosophy was to lead a good life, be kind to others, look at the cup half full and cherish her children and grandchildren.

Sandy was predeceased by her husband, Bernard Gladstone; her parents, Jerome J. Perl and Julia Sall Perl; She is survived by her brother, Donald Perl of Colorado; sister, Martha Perl of New York; and her four children, Lori Zalbowitz Roux (Laurent) of Wyoming, Amy Zalbowitz (Craig Brandon) of Colorado, David Zalbowitz of Florida and Daniel Zalbowitz (Anne) of Colorado. She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Jyles Zalbowitz and Rylan Zalbowitz as well as her stepdaughter, Robin Wilson (Richard) of Connecticut and nephews, niece, and many cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on April 8, 2022 at Temple Emanuel in Sarasota, FL, 151 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Sarasota, 2688 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, FL 34237.

Live streaming of the funeral service will be available at www.sarasotatempl