Glenda Garland Lojek

Glenda Garland Lojek, beloved wife and mother, passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023, aged 73. She was born in Fredericksburg on November 10, 1949, only child of the late Chase J. Garland and the late Roberta S. Garland. From rural roots on a farm in Spotsylvania County, Glenda went on to see much of the world. The first person in her family to graduate from college, she earned a degree from Lynchburg College, meeting her future husband while she completed her studies. She taught at Linkhorne Middle and married Jan Lojek nearly 52 years ago. She and Jan moved to Germany with their two boys, learning the language, getting immersed in local culture, and traveling to dozens of countries. Glenda had a lifelong passion for plants. She threw herself into developing her garden and became a proud member of the Hill City Master Gardeners. Glenda’s talent and dedication powered countless hours working in the community. A gardener in every aspect of her life, she nurtured and fed the people around her. Neighbors would often leave a summertime stop-in with an armful of freshly grown vegetables to take home as she and Jan experimented growing new varieties every year. She was a voracious reader and loved sharing a story with friends and groups like the Lynchburg Wine Tasters. Ballroom and shag dancing gave her great joy and took her and Jan to dance floors from South Carolina to cruise ships, and from Las Vegas to the Mountain Lake Lodge. Locally, she enjoyed socializing at the Elks Lodge and the American Legion Post 16. Glenda’s love for family and friends was profound and unconditional. She adored her children and grandchildren, which were cornerstones of her life. Her home would abound with food, decorations, and welcoming warmth for every occasion. When not hosting, she and Jan would travel to California and, more recently, London, England. Glenda’s lifelong cultivation of strong family roots meant that distance never mattered. She was remarkable in supporting and accepting those around her, and will be remembered for her loyalty and unwavering support for loved ones. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Jan R. Lojek; two sons, Robert J. Lojek and wife Elizabeth, and John B. Lojek and wife Arabella as well as her four grandchildren, Sydney Lojek, Chase Lojek, Rafe Lojek, and Arthur Lojek. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center, 1701 Thomson Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501.