Gladys Mae Lyon, 89, of Port Orange, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2026, at Halifax Hospice in Port Orange, surrounded by her loving family and companion.

Gladys was born on November 1, 1936, to John and Helen Stephanie of Maplewood, New Jersey. She graduated from Columbia High School and went on to marry and have four children. After 14 years of marriage, Gladys divorced and raised her children as a single mother, showing the strength, resilience, and determination that would define her throughout her life.

In the late 1970s, Gladys left New Jersey and moved to Florida, where she enjoyed the warmer winters of New Smyrna Beach and later Port Orange.

Gladys truly enjoyed life. She encouraged those around her to do what they loved, live within their means, and keep things simple. She was smart, witty, and loved to laugh. Her ability to focus on the positive rather than dwell on the negative drew people to her. She was a wonderful listener with a great sense of humor, loved a good joke, and was always ready for a game of cards or Scrabble.

Gladys leaves behind her loving partner and companion, Mark Seifert of Port Orange, Florida, a love she found later in life and one she always said proved she had “saved the best for last.”

She is also survived by her three children: daughter Nancy Lyon and her husband, Pete Vinbury, of Peace Dale, Rhode Island; son Jim Lyon and his wife, Madeline, of Waretown, New Jersey; and son Alan Lyon and his wife, Rachael, of Edgewater, Florida. She leaves behind nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was affectionately known as GiGi — Grandma Gladys, Great Grandma, and Gorgeous Gladys — a fitting name for someone who brought so much love, laughter, and warmth to the lives of those around her.

Gladys was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Diane Marie Lyon of Florida, and her brother Edward Stephanie of New Jersey.

Gladys was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. She was ready for her next adventure and passed peacefully, surrounded by love.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 5, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the Club House, 1275 La Costa Village Boulevard, Port Orange, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, practice an act of kindness where needed or a donation to a charity of your choice in Gladys's memory.