Gloria Margaret Buras Bickford, 93, loving mother, grandmother, wife, aunt, friend passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Baton Rouge, LA at St. Clare Manor. She was the loving mother of son, James R. Bickford and daughters and sons-in-laws, Rosemary Bickford (Robert Muse) and Kathleen Hodgins (James). Proud grandmother of Ryan Hodgins, Rainey Muse and Olivia Hodgins. Aunt to many nieces and nephews, including Mark and Maria Buras, Marty and Diane Buras, Mike and Loretta Buras and their children. One of her greatest joys was watching her grandchildren grow up. Her granddaughters were “Babydoll” and “Sugarplum” and she was overjoyed to have a grandson come into the family. Gloria was born in New Orleans, LA on January 3, 1924 to Martin and Margherita “Maggie” Grapuso Buras. She graduated from John McDonogh High School in 1940 and in December 2016 she attended her 76th high school reunion. After she married her late husband, James J. Bickford, from Natalbany, LA, they eventually resided in Chalmette, LA in St. Bernard Parish, which she called paradise. She lived there until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Gloria was preceded in death by her only sibling and brother, Martin Buras, with whom she shared a loving disposition, and his wife, Winifred, who was like a sister to her. Gloria, like many others, was a member of the Greatest Generation and survived the Great Depression, World War II and Hurricane Betsy and Katrina. She started sewing at the age of 11 and was taught by her grandmother, Paulina Fontana. Gloria was an accomplished seamstress and sewed many items including wedding dresses, bridesmaids and prom dresses for her daughters and others, children and adult costumes and home accessories. She also patched and mended the clothes of her son and sons-in-law. Gloria never wanted to sew for money, as that would have taken the joy out of it. She loved her family and friends, her children’s friends, being outside, planning and holding parties, flowers, cooking, eating cake and drinking champagne. Gloria traveled to many places with her family and friends including Costa Rica, Ireland, England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Belize, Turks and Caicos, Aruba and numerous cities and landmarks in the United States. In addition to being a mother and homemaker, she worked for many years in the business she and her husband started, Expert Refrigeration and at UNO. After her retirement, she joined organizations in St. Bernard Parish, including the Sew N So’s and the St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community. Gloria had a special ability to sit with family and friends while they were dying and it pained her to see anyone suffering. She said that if she could stop one heart from breaking, she would not live in vain, but our hearts are now breaking to let her go. Gloria lived a long beautiful life, but it was too short for us. Many thanks to Robert and James for their assistance with taking her to doctor’s appointments and for their companionship. Also special thanks to the nurses and staff of St. Clare Manor for their care the last couple of years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 PM. She will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Boy’s Town, Vietnam Veterans or your favorite Veterans charity in memory of Gloria.
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