Gloria Aurora Mendoza

Gloria Aurora Mendoza, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023 at her Henderson home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved matriarch of her family. Over her 94 years, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who gave unconditional love to everyone.

Gloria was born August 18,1928, in El Paso, Texas to the late Francisco Rubio I and Maria Hernandez. Under the purview and encouragement of her older brother, Frank Rubio II, she graduated from Bowie High School.

Gloria married her soul mate, John Anthony Mendoza, on March 2, 1963 in Los Angeles after a exuberant courtship whereby he was surrogate father to her six children, from a prior marriage. This was an extraordinary responsibility in John’s early U.S. Marine Corps military career.

Gloria was blessed with three more children with John. Despite her formidable years as a housewife she pursued a diversified career, in her own right. Her tenacity landed a unprecedented mentorship with Ronald Reagan, former Governor of California. Reagan provided guidance for her clerical education and various jobs. He also enabled her to secure a vehicle for her transportation.

Gloria was confident throughout her varied work experience; to include working at the Hawthorne Naval Ammunition Depot as an ordnance handler, driving a forklift stowing 500 pound retrograde bombs from Vietnam. Over the years she was a tender care-giver for the State of California and Nevada. The finale was 13 years at Imperial Palace in Las Vegas.

Gloria, a caring person, always thinking of others, with outpouring compassion and support.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons: Richard and Fidel Jr; and granddaughter, Mina.

Gloria leaves behind her adoring husband, John; seven children: Alice, Rose Marie, Dianne (Gerrard), Rudy (Malfabon), Nora Ann, Tina Marie, and John Jr.; eleven grandchildren: David, Felicia, Stacy, Charles, Jacqueline, Sandy, Melanie, Johnathan, Craig, Freedom, Jade; and twelve great-grandchildren Corey, Trinity, Anthony, Quintin, Deshaun, Desmond, Joseph, Azaleah, Faith, Alayna, Kyree and Luna.

CELEBRATE MY LIFE, REMEMBER ME WITH LOVE AND JOY. LET GRATITUDE FILL YOUR HEART, THANKFUL FOR THE TIME WE HAD. DEPARTED….BUT MY MEMORY REMAINS. GOD BLESS GLORIA AURORA, WHO IS IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS. WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF HER SOUL, REST IN PEACE BELOVED.

A memorial service for Gloria will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 1:20 PM at Southern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veteran's Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Mendoza family.