The images of Drs. Elizabeth Hooper Gleason and Charles Gleason now greet those who enter the YMCA that bears their name.

On Tuesday, the couple’s children and grandchildren, as well as YMCA employees and supporters, attended the official unveiling of a memorial plaque. The plaque was installed in the building’s entryway.

Executive Director Debbie Fringuelli said board members and volunteers decided to honor the couple, who were the moving force behind the YMCA’s development.

Just under $5,000 was raised for the memorial.

It features an image of the couple and reads: “We have committed our lives to the health and well being of the youth and families of the local community. The YMCA has fulfilled our vision better than we could have imagined.”

Geoff Swett, chair of the Gleason Board of Managers, spoke about the YMCA’s positive influence in the community.

“I walked in here not knowing what the YMCA was,” Swett said. “The more I learned about its mission and heard about what is offered I thought, ‘this can’t be real.’”

Swett also spoke about the family’s contributions.

“At the end the day, they would ask themselves, ‘how can I make a positive impact,’” he said.

Robert Gleason, one of the couple’s five children, spoke on behalf of the family.

“My parents put their heart and soul in a lot of different things in town,” he said. “The YMCA is what they thought the town needed most.”

Sherman and Elizabeth passed away in 2011 within eight days of each other.

Both were doctors. Gleason was a pediatrician and Hooper had a general practice they operated out of their downtown home.