1982 Thank-you letter from Marie S. Gladden to Mayor John H. Land

The Marie Stapler Gladden Collection

Original onion skin paper

1982-12-13

Marie Vista Stapler Gladden; Marie Stapler Gladden; Marie Stapler; Marie Gladden

Apopka, Florida, United States of America.

A typewritten thank-you letter dated December 13, 1982, sent from P.O. Box 413, Apopka, by Marie S. Gladden, widow of Michael Gladden Jr., and the William Gladden Sr. family, to beloved Mayor John H. Land of Apopka. Written just eight months after Michael Gladden Jr.'s death, the letter expresses the family's gratitude for the city's decision to rename Ninth Street to Michael Gladden Boulevard and to install a granite marker commemorating the change.

Marie Vista Stapler Gladden (March 13th, 2004 - May 14th, 2004) was the retired principal of the historic Black school, Phyllis Wheatley High School. Marie Stapler Gladden attained a Master's in Early Childhood Education and Certification in Administration and Supervision from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, NY. Marie married Michael Gladden Jr. on June 16, 1935. She became the co-owner of M. Gladden Staple and Fancy Groceries and later, Gladden's Coin Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Marie began her teaching career at the Hopper Academy elementary school in Seminole County, later teaching in Orange County for thirty-six years, including at schools in Oakland and Clarcona. Marie was a member of the Orange County Teachers Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Omicron Omega Chapter, the Apopka Chamber of Commerce, the Apopka Historical Society, and the Apopka Senior Citizen Center. She lived to be 100 years old.