Gladwyn Evangeline Voigt (née Williams), 92, of Warwick, R.I., died on Sunday, June 16, 2024, of complications from congestive heart failure. She lived a rich, full, and rewarding life, loving every minute of her 63 years of marriage with her late husband and life partner Bud, raising their family, travelling the world, and enjoying life with exuberance, creativity, fun, and a great sense of humor.
Growing up in Rhode Island during the Depression and World War II as one of six children of Salvation Army ministers, she graduated from Lockwood High School in Warwick, R. I. in 1949. She married decorated-World War II veteran Willard Dickson Voigt of Fall River, Mass. in 1953, joined by their first bundle of joy, daughter Cynthia Lane, in 1955, and soon followed by son Jeffrey Dickson in 1957 and identical twins Bradford Willam and Gregory Alan in 1960.
Gladwyn loved being a mother during the height of the Baby Boom (and, later in life, even more as a nana), supporting and protecting her children unconditionally. Her beautiful home on Warwick Neck, where - until recently - she lived for over six decades, was her haven. There, she welcomed all with open arms and hugs, especially enjoying sitting on her porch overlooking Narragansett Bay, playing Scrabble, reading voraciously on her iPad, or laughing with friends (of which she had many) over a glass of wine.
An expert quilter, Gladwyn designed and constructed literally hundreds of hand-made quilts, which she gave with great pleasure to family, friends, and even pets all across the country. Knowing that her quilts were wrapped around those she loved most in the world gave her great satisfaction and fulfillment.
She volunteered at Kent County Memorial Hospital in Warwick, R. I. for more than 30 years, where she formed many special friendships. As her children grew, in the 1970’s, she served as Church Secretary for Shawomet Baptist Church in Warwick.
She is survived by her daughter Cindy and husband Robert Otoski of Cumberland, RI; her sons Jeff of Ridgewood, N. J.; Brad and his husband Elliott Rebhun of Los Angeles; Greg and his wife Nancy of Barrington, R. I.; daughter-in-law Patricia Kenney; son-in-law William Burton; nine grandchildren (listed in descending age): Ryan, Kevin, Kathryn (Kate), Emily, Jennifer, Molly, Cameron, Abby and Owen; and one great-grandson, Tate.
A wake will be held on Sunday, June 23 from 4 – 6 PM at Barret and Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., Warwick, R. I. The funeral service will take place on Monday, June 24 at 11 AM at Greenwood Community Church, 805 Main Street, Warwick, R. I., followed by the burial at 1 PM at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter, R. I. Family and friends are invited to attend both the wake and the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Gladwyn’s memory to The Salvation Army of Providence, R. I., 386 Broad Street, Providence, R. I. 02907, or to Kent Hospital Philanthropy, Attn: Kate Wishart, Gladwyn Voigt Memorial Fund, 455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, R. I. 02886 (online: https://foundation.kentri/donatenow), or to a charity of your choice.
Gladwyn would say of her life, as she did about many other adventures during her 92 years, “It was delightful … just delightful,” just as she was a delight and joy to those who knew and loved her.
