Gladys F. Carter, age 87, of State College, died Thursday, October 16, 2008, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center.
Born, April 22, 1921 in Topton, Berks County, PA, she was a daughter of the late Alton Monroe and Sadie Ann (Miller) Fenstermacher.
On December 27, 1942, she married Charles E. "Nick" Carter, Jr., who died July 3, 1986.
Gladys was a 1938 graduate of Reading High School, Reading, PA and a 1942 graduate of West Chester University majoring in music. She taught music in Berks County public schools and later taught piano and kindergarten in Camp Hill, PA.
Following their family's move to State College, she established the Gladys F. Carter Nursery School in Park Forest Village and subsequently began what would become her long term and distinguished real estate career.
Mrs. Carter obtained her real estate's license in 1960 and became a member of the Centre County Association of Realtors in 1962. She was a Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI). She not only served as the President of the Centre County Association of Realtors, but aslo as Vice President for District 5 of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. In addition to being a agent, Gladys was also an associate broker and a residential appraiser in State College, until May 2006. She taught real estate fundamentals for Penn State University and South Hills Business School. Most recently she was designated REALTOR Emeritus by the National Association of Realtors.
Gladys was a sensitive woman with many friends. She belonged to numerous social and professional organizations such as Altrusa and AARP. She always looked forward to her games group night and was an avid reader. She was always ready to travel, especially if the destination involved an ocean.
Gladys was a Penn State fan since the days when women wore suits, heels, and hats to football games.
Gladys is survived by her daughter, Dr. Vicki Kay Carter of Pennsylvania Furnace; her son, Charles E. "Cork" Carter III of State College; her sister Juel Mae (Moll) Suglia and husband Tony of Little Falls, NJ; niece Toni Lou (Suglia) McClure of Woodland Hills, CA; her granddaughter, Christine Hadden and husband Patrick of Charlotte, NC; and her grandson, Joseph A. Carter of Carlisle, PA.
A celebration of life gathering will be held Tuesday, October 21, 2008, from 10:00 am until noon, at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 1034 Benner Pike State College. Burial will be at the convenience of the family, where she will be reunited with her beloved paternal grandmother, Mary Fenstermacher - known to the family as "Nanny".
In lieu of flowers, friends may want to contribute to the memorial scholarship fund of her nephew, Michael: The Michael P. Suglia Memorial Scholarship Fund, Passaic Valley High School, East Main Street, Little Falls, NJ 07424, c/o Mr. Paul Gerber.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com