Gladys Y. Carrera

Gladys Yolanda Carrera Bowen was born in Manta, Ecuador on January 16, 1938. She was one of
7 children to Obdulio Carrera and Carlota Carrera.

In her youth, she attended Stella Maris School where she excelled in math and with the
basketball team. She spent much of her time with friends on the beach and enjoying coconut
water and ceviche.

Her father was a fan of the United States and made sure his children emigrated there when they
were able. Gladys arrived to the United States in the 1960s and quickly immersed herself in the culture and workforce. She was working at the Washington Hilton where she met her future
husband, Erwin Stierle, a German immigrant who was part of the wait staff.

Their romance quickly blossomed and they were married on May 21, 1966 in Washington, DC.
Before long, Erwin, Jr was born in 1970, quickly followed by Eric Alexander in 1971. After living in Maryland for a short time, they moved to Vienna, VA where the family established roots.

Gladys and Erwin divorced in 1981, and she put her efforts into educating herself to enter the
workforce once again. She obtained an administrative certificate from Washington Business
School and secured a job as office manager for a doctor’s office in Falls Church. She worked with Dr. Bertran and then Dr. Dierdoff and enjoyed her work immensely before deciding to retire after two plus decades.

In her retirement years, she spent much of her time with her grandchildren, time with her
siblings and family, and ultimately reuniting with her ex-husband, Erwin.

Gladys was known to be the life of the party. She hosted many events in her home that
consisted of lots of music, dancing, laughs and love. Some of these festivities were so “robust” that police showed up to recommend quieting things down. She made family gatherings must-attend events because she was the liveliest of hostesses you could ask for.
Gladys had a contagious laugh, made others laugh, was someone who everyone loved, and was
always the first one on the dance floor.

Gladys leaves behind her partner, Erwin Stierle, her children Erwin Stierle, Jr. (Kristin Stierle), Eric Stierle (Kimberly Stierle), granddaughters Brynn Stierle, Kate Stierle, Bella Long, Arya Stierle, brother Eloy Carrera, and numerous nieces and nephews.