She’s lived around the corner from me for years. Most mornings when I’m at my computer I see her walking her dog past my house.
But now I won’t anymore.
Like all of us Gloria is moving on. She’s getting old and must make arrangements for the rest of her life.
Gloria never held public office and never took a dime of taxpayer money. But what she gave back to the community could have paid off the national debt.
I don’t write this because Gloria was a friend of mine. I write this because Gloria epitomizes what a community member should be.
She always showed up. With a smile.
She didn’t care about arguing politics. She cared about arguing what she could do to help make an event successful or what she could do to promote Mesquite. Isn’t that what we want of all our people?
Gloria did it. Time and time again.
Often times her only argument was whether she should show up at 7 a.m. or 8 a.m.
At almost every event I covered as a reporter, when I looked around the room, I saw Gloria and Ann. But now I won’t anymore.
As I’m writing this, I hear Air Force jets flying over. It couldn’t be more poetic than to give Gloria an official fly-by send off.
I’ll miss you honey, but more importantly Mesquite will miss your smile.
Gloria, this town will not be the same without you! Thank you for always being the friendly, smiling, happy, helpful person you are. You are a great role model. Come back and see us sometime!
Terri
Gloria: We will miss you!
I MET GLORIA THRU MY SISTER DEBBIE BALLWEG AND DAVE. I VISIT MY SISTER IN MESQUITE TWICE A YEAR AS I LIVE IN ST LOUIS MO. WE WOULD HAVE LUNCH WITH HER AND ANN. I WAS AT GLORIAS HOUSE WHEN I WAS THERE IN APRIL 2016. WHAT A DEAR SWEET LADY AND ANN WILL CERTAINLY MISS HER SIDE KICK. MESQUITE WILL MISS HER FORALL SHE DID FOR THE COMMUNITY. FLY HIGH MY DEAR DRIEND. I WILL MISS SEEING U ON MY TRIPS
Gloria, you have been our house neighbor for years. It just isn’t ever going to be the same. You always had a hug and a smile. Love you Gloria and I do promise to see you in Boise.
Gloria walked with me in my 2013 campaign during the Mesquite Days Parade. I offered to let her ride in the pickup with my husband. She looked at me with distain and said, “I just did a 5K, I think I can walk in a parade.”
That’s Gloria. Always willing to help and always ready for a challenge. I hope your next challenge is just as rewarding. And I hope your new community appreciates your smile, your humor and your sense of adventure.
Gloria was an amazing woman! I met her at Stephen’s Hair & Boutique where she shopped often and bought many of the greeting cards I make. She was a big fan of supporting the local businesses. I agree with Barbara, I never saw her that she did not have a big smile on her face and something pleasant to say. I will miss her.
I will miss seeing Gloria around local events. Every time we went to a fundraiser for the local arts community, Gloria was there, right alongside Ann. What treasures these two women are/were to this community. They have done so much to promote the arts. When I was starting out making pottery you and Ann were always so encouraging looking at my work in local art festivals. Wishing you godspeed in your next adventure.