Gloria H. Squiers

Gloria Squiers died peacefully with her children and grandsons at her side in Bloomington Hospital on Thursday, March 24, 2011. She was born and grew up in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. She was the daughter of William E Hansen and Elsie C Hansen. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, her husband David E Squiers, and her sister Grace C Hansen. She is survived by her son William A (and wife Jennifer W) Squiers of Kalamazoo Michigan, and daughter Suzanne S (and husband James M) Halvorson, Bloomington, IN. She had two grandsons, Robert D Squiers, Kalamazoo, and Matthew D Halvorson, Cincinnati. Gloria enjoyed tennis and piano growing up. She had 8 years of perfect attendance at Sunday School at Mountain Lakes Community Church. Her father owned a heavy hardware business in New York and she loved going to New York for shows, eating, and shopping. She graduated from Babson Junior College and studied music at Rollins College, Winter Park Florida. She was deeply proud of her service to her country in World War II as a WAVE, stationed in Washington, DC. She met her life love, David E Squiers while he was studying Art History at Harvard. They were married for 52 years. Gloria was committed to her volunteer work at church and worked on the Altar Guild, Mary Martha Guild, Braille Bible production, and was President and Secretary of the Valpo Guild in Kalamazoo. She inspired her daughter with her gift of sewing, quilting, knitting and embroidery. She was Bill’s den mother for Cub Scouts and enjoyed baking bread and pies. For 10 years she worked for Weight Watchers. Her passion for animals and classical music were important gifts to her family. Gloria loved to travel, especially on cruise ships. At the age of 8 she went with her family on a two month cruise to Northern Europe, which included a visit her father’s family in Denmark. In 1964 she took a ship with her father to Hawaii, shortly before he died. She and David went on a Classical Music Cruise on the QE II through the Panama Canal, and with Dr. Paul L Maier to Italy, Greece and France. She enjoyed her annual cruises with her daughter and son to the Caribbean. Gloria moved to Bloomington in 2004 after her husband’s death. She treasured her connection with St. Thomas Lutheran Church, and found comfort and support by the caring staff of the Meadowood Health Pavilion the last year of her life. A funeral service will be held on Sunday March 27th at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Bloomington IN at 5:30, preceded by visitation at 5:00 P.M. with Rev. Dr. Lyle McKee presiding. There will be a committal service at the Chapel at Mt. Everest Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan at 2:45 on Tuesday March 29, with Rev. Dr. Paul L Maier presiding. Memorial Contributions may be made through Allen Funeral Home to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, The Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, or Feral Cat Friends, Bloomington. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

Tributes

Gloria H. Squiers

February 15, 1922 - March 24, 2011