Gloria Stein

She was 91 years old. Gloria was born in New York on May 12, 1933. She was one of four children, with a sister, Florence, and two brothers, Bernie and Stuart.

Gloria married the love of her life, Buddy, in 1949. Their love story spanned more than seven decades, and they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary earlier this year. In June 1950, they welcomed their first of three sons, Larry. Their family grew to include Ronald and Jeffrey.

Gloria and Buddy raised their sons in a home with outstanding food prepared by Gloria, comedy performed by Buddy, and music - music played a role in their household with Gloria and Buddy singing together on stages in the Catskill Mountains in the 50s and 60s, for special events in Los Angeles in the 80s and 90s, and as recently as at the Sagewood Talent Shows in Phoenix, Arizona this last year.

Gloria valued education, art and culture. She graduated from Queens College in 1974 when her two eldest sons were graduate and undergraduate college students themselves! In 1978, the same year she became a grandmother for the first time, she earned a Masters Degree in Art from Adelphi University.

Gloria was a working woman, serving as a designer of retail stores and their display layouts. She was a gifted and talented artist, painting with watercolors and oils, drawing with pastels, and she even sculpted. She served as a docent for the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and volunteered as an art educator for elementary schools.

In 1991, Gloria and Buddy began raising their granddaughter, Alexis, when she was 3-years-old, and after raising three sons to adulthood, began again with a little girl. Gloria took pride in watching Alexis become a successful adult, marry, earn a graduate degree, and become a mother herself.

Among Gloria’s greatest joys were being a wife and mother. She and Buddy traveled the world together on business and for pleasure in the 80s and 90s. They lived in New York, Los Angeles, and Arizona. She was a social person who enjoyed hosting dinners, attending costume parties, watching films with Buddy, and above all-else, laughing. Buddy always knew how to make Gloria laugh.

Mother to three, mother-in-law to three, grandmother to five, great-grandmother to four, and friend to many, Gloria impacted and influenced the lives of those she touched. She will be remembered as an elegant, creative, and hardworking woman who lived a life of love.