Gladys Natalia Bori Alard

After a life overflowing with faith, courage, charity and love, our treasured and beloved Wife, Mami, Abuela, Tía Yayi and friend returned home to our Father in Heaven on Friday, March 24, 2017.

Gladys was born on July 27, 1926 to Pelegrin and Pura Leon-Bori in Manzanillo, Cuba. She was the second child of five, raised in what is known as the “Bori Palace” which her grandfather had constructed with imported materials from Europe and the U.S. (Similar in size to the Utah County Building near here, taking up 1 square block.) She attended private school and tried to please her mother by being prim and proper, but was a tomboy at heart. Gladys spent her summers on the family farm and told us entertaining stories of her playing practical jokes, exploring nature and always getting herself and others into trouble. She later attended The University of Havana where she obtained a Pharmaceutical Degree and practiced in her hometown.

Gladys married Nicolas Joaquin Alard on August 1, 1955 in Cuba after he was smitten with her at a dance. He then pursued her for months from afar, until he convinced his Aunt to introduce them. They were later sealed in the Provo, Utah LDS Temple. They were blessed with three children, Yayi, Vivian and Robert, as well as 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Nicolas was her one and only love, life, and dance partner, who suddenly passed away on March 7, 1986. She would often say with a sigh, how much she missed being held closely by him, while they danced. After 31 years, the waiting is over. She told each of her children and grandchildren to always “defend love,” and we will.

Many here will know of Gladys and her family’s remarkable journey as they fled communism in Cuba for the safe shores of the USA in 1962. What is most extraordinary, was her “perfect brightness of hope” after so much opposition and heartache. And if you don’t know her story, any of her family would be honored to tell you. Every step of her story is a true testament of her strength. She never complained, and never looked back. Her work ethic, intelligence and personality, quickly promoted her in every endeavor and identified her as a well-respected American citizen.

While living in Florida, she was baptized along with her husband and children into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She considers this the richest blessing of her life and shared her testimony of our Savior and His gospel at any opportunity. Her favorite place to be was the Lord’s Temple, and she went often.

Gladys’ optimism and zest for life inspired all. She did good in the world everyday. Her love and service to her family and friends knew no bounds. She envied nothing and no one. She was known for her clever and humorous Spanglish sayings. She was spicy and silly, and made no apologies. She was the life of the party and the light of her family. She felt most at home in nature and never ceased to be in awe of God’s creations. Whether it was a seashell, an animal, pressed flower, or a child, they were precious to her. She would say, “we dance how we feel,” and could be found anywhere, at any time, dancing salsa to whatever music might be playing; in essence, she danced to the beat of life.

And if she were here to say goodbye, she’d flick her finger and say, “Be Good! Be Nice! Behave!”

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the mortuary Wednesday, March 29, from 6-8:00 p.m. and Thursday, from 9:30-10:50 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to LDS Humanitarian Services online at ldscharities.org or mail to:
Humanitarian Services
c/o LDS Philanthropies
1450 N. University Ave.
Provo, UT 84604