Gloria Norris, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away in the early morning on April 8, 2024 at the age of 94. Gloria was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 28, 1929. After graduating from Mehlville High School, she went to work as a key-punch operator. While at a dance in the spring of 1949 she met Edward Arthur Norris, who would become her husband of 50 years and her lifelong sweetheart.
As a proud Air Force wife, during Ed’s later career with Lockheed and in their retirement years, Gloria traveled the world. She and Ed lived overseas, in England, Italy, and Iran, in addition to several states. Their children were all born in a different state, territory or country. Ed and Gloria often said their happiest years were their fun family times in Alaska, where they went fishing, boating and camping.
Gloria was dear to her friends and family, who all appreciated her generous heart, warm smile and quick wit. She loved dogs, and over the years she welcomed several to the family. She liked to garden, bake, crochet and knit. She had a green thumb and grew lovely houseplants, garden flowers and vegetables. Parents of newborns were delighted to receive her beautifully knitted baby sweater sets. More than anything, she loved time spent with family, whether cooking Thanksgiving dinner or working jigsaw puzzles with her kids.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ed, her son Michael, her sister Evelyn, her brother Bill, her grandchild Kimberly, and her parents, Charles Gardner and Hazel Geary Gardner.
She is survived by her children Nancy Jones (Marls), David Norris (Grace), Eileen Santos (Enrique), Jim Norris (Laura), Patty Halbert, and her cousin Tina Weber, who was like a sister to her. Gloria had 12 grandchildren, Christine, Rick, Bonnie, Katie, Michelle, Michael, Christopher, Marcela, Renate, Natalie, and Jack. She had 14 great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Kennedy, Kalob, Colin, Erin, Riplee, Lydia, Gavin, Brevyn, Adam, Vincent, Justis, Zachariahs, and Colton.
A celebration of life service will be held at a future date in Washington state, where she will be buried with her husband at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
Posted On: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 3:28 PM
