Gloria was born at home in Ambridge, PA May 8, 1942. She and her parents lived in Sewickley, PA for a short while before moving to Bellevue, PA where she and her younger sister, Virginia (Ginny) grew up.
In June 1962 Gloria drove her parents' 1960 Chevrolet into a local gas station where she met the attendant, her future and still husband Ed (who still claims that she was the prettiest girl in Pittsburgh). She and Ed were married on June 6, 1964. She worked for what was then called Bell Telephone until a few weeks before their son was born. She then took on the role of raising the family and keeping together everything that a busy family requires, while being totally supportive of Ed's business activities.
Gloria and Ed and their son Edward Charles Holtgraver and daughter Jill Amber Holtgraver Hughes moved to Spring, TX in 1979. Gloria loved the hot summers. In fact, our first summer here saw temperatures over 100F for weeks and when September came with its 95 degree days, she suggested that perhaps we should move further south.
Gloria loved to travel with Ed, eventually seeing all 50 states plus Mexico, Canada, The United Kingdom. Sweden, Russia, New Zealand and Australia. After the kids were out on their own and if Ed was busy working, she accompanied a tour group on cruises in the Pacific, the Caribbean and even the Baltic Sea.
Another of Gloria's loves was our Model A Ford and the Piney Wood Model A Ford Club. She attended the meetings and as many of the outings as possible. We purchased the 1931 Model A Deluxe Roadster in 1992. Having looked at a Model T one day, Gloria suggested that we get something newer and she found our "A" in a newspaper ad that night. Understanding Gloria means that you know she likes to 'think about it' before making a decision. Well, the Model A was the exception to the rule. Saw it, loved it, said let's get it. A few years later when it was time to renovate the "A", Gloria suggested changing the then beige color to red. Then she went looking for paint samples and picked a red that was the envy of many who saw the car. Above all of the "A" events though, her absolute favorite was riding in the Tomball Christmas Parade, especially when our Granddaughters were available to ride in the rumble seat.
In 1995, along with Ed and another couple, she hiked 7 miles down and 9 miles back up from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. An elevation change of over
4,900 feet. They stayed overnight at Phantom Ranch before hiking back up to the South rim visitor center.
Gloria kept a beautiful, clean and well decorated house and spent many hours in her back-yard garden. She is famous in the family for her Poppy Seed cakes and olive balls among other specialties.
Despite the ravages of dementia, Gloria was always able to recognize family and while under memory care, she made everyone around her happier with her beautiful smile. Thankfully, her husband Ed and their children Ed and Jill were by her side when she left to join her Dad, Granddaughter Amber and all those who preceded her to Heaven,
Gloria was a beautiful person, inside and out, or as Ed puts it simply 'She Was a Good Girl'!
We love you Gloria