Gloria Jean was born in ’32 in Pottsville, PA to Helen, a factory worker, and Anthony, a coal miner. She was one of three children and as a child, Gloria spent most of her time playing and exploring the outdoors. As an adult, she worked as a factory worker for RCA and spent over 15 years volunteering at St. Joseph’s hospital.
Gloria met her first husband, Jack, in her hometown. They married in St. Claire and honeymooned in the Poconos before settling in Lancaster County. There, Jack was stationed as a Pennsylvania State Trooper until he retired in ’86. Jack and Gloria built their own home and adopted two children together, Jackie and Michael. Gloria lost her beloved husband after heart surgery in 1996.
Gloria found her second love, Charles, at a Catholic widower’s support group. Gloria and Charles married in 1997. The two enjoyed traveling and they were always on the go. They would drive to Florida to visit Gloria’s brother and on their way, stop in Georgia to visit Charles’ sister. They traveled all over the United States and especially enjoyed their trips to Nevada and Hawaii. On their travels to Canada, they purchased a copper horse picture, which Gloria absolutely loves. The copper horse picture is now displayed in her apartment at Magnolias of Lancaster.
Gloria lost her dear Charles in 2014. They had a wonderful life together and she misses him very much. She found a box with all of the cards that he wrote to her after he had passed and would read through them every day to remind her about their love.
Gloria loves her grandchildren Amy, John, and Megan very much along with her two great grandchildren. Molly and Colin enjoy coming to Magnolias to visit her and refill the birdfeeder outside of her window. Gloria even has another great grandchild on the way who should be coming to visit her right around her birthday!
She is very active in the Magnolias of Lancaster community, participating in fitness classes, art classes, and her absolute favorite cooking/ baking activities. Gloria loves music and loves to show everyone her dance moves. She has a heart of gold and looks after her fellow neighbors, weather its by having a conversation with them, a hand for them to hold, or just her presence in a room with them. She brings a smile that lights up a whole community.