Gladys May Moxon Tucker

Our lovely mother, Gladys May Moxon Tucker, passed away on January 27, 2025, at the age of 87, in Holladay, Utah.

Gladys was born on July 11, 1937, in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, to Ronald Webster and Hilda Davies Moxon. She grew up during World War II alongside her siblings Mary Rodgers, Alan Moxon, and John Moxon, learning resilience and independence at an early age. Her father served in North Africa under Montgomery during the war. He was gone for years which was a hardship on the family as they were left to fend for themselves. At just 16 years old, Gladys made the brave decision to sail alone to America on the Queen Mary, setting the stage for her extraordinary life.

After settling in Salt Lake City, Utah, she met and married Edmond Earl Tucker, and together they raised five children—Karen (Michael), Lisa (Michael), Alison (Grant), David (Tomiko), and Mark (Sarah). Their family moved from Maryland to Las Vegas and Ogden before making their home in Holladay, Utah. A talented seamstress, Gladys lovingly made all her kids’ clothes as they grew up and crafted elaborately decorated cakes for each of their birthdays. Though her marriage later ended, her love and dedication to her children never wavered. She built a home where they always felt supported and encouraged, always putting her family at the heart of everything she did.

In 1968, Gladys became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States. She studied hard to pass her citizenship test and was so proud of this accomplishment. Gladys loved her life in the US and was always grateful for the opportunities it gave her as an immigrant. Later, her children would all become dual citizens of Great Britain and the United States.

Once her children were grown, Gladys pursued her own academic aspirations, earning a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Utah. A proud Utah Ute, her legacy of education was carried on as all five of her children and four grandchildren graduated from the university. She served as the Director of Disabled Student Services at the University of Utah and later worked at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute, where she was an administrator at the youth inpatient education program, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives.

Gladys was a passionate advocate and the co-founder of the Utah Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities. She was an active voice in her community, proudly serving as a Superdelegate for the Utah Democratic Party. In addition, she dedicated her time to helping those in need as the volunteer coordinator for the 4th Street Clinic.

Gladys never lost touch with her British roots, and her family loved the traditions she kept alive—like roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and trifle at Christmas, afternoon tea, and tuning in to royal events. Her love of dogs, especially her “granddogs,” was part of what made her home so warm. She had a beautiful backyard in Holladay, where she tended her garden while her grandkids played.

Gladys enjoyed traveling with her family, some of her favorite trips were to Canada, Mexico, Europe, the UK, and Boston. Above all, Gladys loved her family. Her children, grandchildren—Strater, Matthew, Lauren, Ethan, Shannon, and Drew—and five great-grandchildren who brought her endless happiness.

Gladys passed away with her family beside her after 10 years of living with dementia. Her family would like to thank the amazing caregivers at Spring Gardens who cared for her with love during her final years. They would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dear friends who brought joy, laughter, and companionship to her life. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.