"Glo" was born in Dallas, OR, daughter to Western and Myrtle (DeHaven) Elliott. She is the youngest of seven children, and was the final surviving member of her original family. Gladys was raised on her family cherry and prune farm in Dallas, OR which was established by her grandfather, James Elliott in 1883 and is now the largest, and one of the oldest, prune farms in the state of Oregon. After graduating from Dallas High School in 1942, Glo entered Oregon State University in Corvallis and in 1946 she graduated with a bachelors of science in Physical Education, a minor in home economics, and earned her teaching credential. That same fall she accepted a fulltime teaching position at Hollister High School in Hollister, Cal. at the age of 21. Glo taught physical education and other courses and coached athletic teams there for over 27 years. During this time Gladys was also active with the Hollister City Recreation Department, and she was a board member of the San Benito County Recreation Department.