Gladys Martha Graibe

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gladys Martha de la Caridad Vazquez Sandinas Graibe, who died on January 25, 2023 at the age of 88.

Gladys was born on July 29,1934 to the late Rafaela and Alfredo Vazquez in La Habana, Cuba (Havana). Gladys was the youngest of 2 children. They spent their early years in Cuba, where they developed a love of God and Ministering. Gladys worked as an Avon Cosmetics consultant and devoted her time as a Sunday school teacher and missionary. 0n January 1,1961 she was issued an Exhorter Certificate from the Church of God at Cleveland, Tennessee to leave Cuba with her mother leaving her father and sister behind. They set sail to the U.S and they ended up in San Francisco, CA where they continued their missionary work. Gladys and her mother ended up settling in Inglewood, CA. They were all reunited in Los Angeles in 1965.

Gladys went on to pursue a career as an Assembly Welder, working at Teledyne for numerous years but during this time she was continually active in her ministry and continued her devotion to Christ. Her mother met Jacobo Graibe at their church in South Gate and insisted on introducing him to her daughter, so she set up a meeting. They fell in love and began the courtship and married shortly after on March 4, 1967. They had 3 children. During this time, they made many lifelong friends and earned the respect and admiration of their colleagues. The two of them pursue their dreams of owning their own business and opened the Sugar Bowl Restaurant in Gardena, CA and later moving on to opening The Ensenada Meat Market and Bakery also in Gardena, CA where they owned this business for 30 years. At any given day you would find her working the register and greeting everyone from the timed it opened until closing time. Everyone knew her as a hard worker, kindhearted, giving woman. They later decided to sell the business and open El Ranchito Dairy Market in Lawndale, CA in the late 80’s.

Outside of work, Gladys was a devoted Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend always putting the needs of others before her own. She was a giving Christian woman who worked hard and alongside her husband they provided the best life for their children. She was always smiling, cracking her Cuba chistes or sharing the word of God. She loved to sing Spanish Christian songs, share stories of her time in Cuba with her family and friends.

Although her passing was unexpected, she did struggle with dementia and depression up until that day. She often felt lonely after losing her sister and husband, but she was waiting patiently for her calling from God to be reunite with them again. She lived her entire life the way God intended her too. There is no doubt that she has entered the pearly gates and reunited with all her loved ones and now she is our guardian angel.

She leaves to cherish her memory son David Graibe and his wife Tanya, her daughters Damaris and Elizabeth and her 3 grandchildren Brandon Croucier, Ethan Graibe and Chloe Burklund. She was predeceased by husband Jacobo Graibe, sister Ramona Pichaco and her parents.