Glorie Marie (Podgorski) Stonisch-Jimenez

Glorie Marie Podgorski was born February 4, 1940 on a snowy day to Mary and John Podgorski, in Detroit, Michigan. Her name was to be Marsha, however when John looked at his baby girl, she was Gloria to him! For those who knew Glorie – as she became known to family and friends, she was Generous, Loyal, Optimistic, Resourceful, Inventive and Elegant.

She had a wonderful childhood with her younger brother John (aka: Sonny). As you may remember, her mother had two sisters and her father had two brothers among other siblings. The three sisters married the three brothers and they all had children that grew up together. Although times were tough, they lived simply and within their means, loving, laughing and making memories we still share today.

Glorie and her brother John both attended St. Bartholomew’s Catholic School and then to Pershing High School with her brother John and three cousins, Dennis, Diane and Marilyn. Glorie attended Hillsdale College, where she pledged the Chi Omega Sorority and earned a teaching certificate. Glorie taught one semester in Fraser, Michigan before going back to school for her master’s degree in child development. Glorie soon met Rudy Stonisch II. He traveled during the week for work and there were no cell phones in those days so there was no way to break the first date even if she wanted to. As Glorie always recounted, Rudy was the most eligible bachelor in Detroit and she was so intrigued with him. She fell in love and continued the traditions of golabki and kielbasa. If you knew Glorie, her favorite stop was for a coney dog. After graduating with a master from U of M she received her degree from Merril Palmer Institute at Wayne State University and planned a wedding in Detroit. Glorie and Rudy were married June 17, 1962, on Father’s Day at the University of Detroit High School Chapel. Her parents, John and Mary were so proud. A year later Mary Sue was born. They lived in a house Rudy designed and built in Farmington, MI. With her degree in child development, Glorie and her college friend Judy Schlaman, a sorority sister from Hillsdale started the St. Claire Nursery School in their home church. And soon after, Gail and Rudy III were born.

Rudy always dreamed of living close to the water and in 1973 his dream came true. He started his own Sales Rep Firm for the automobile companies in Detroit and moved the family from Farmington Hills to Grosse Pointe Michigan. Mary Sue was 10, Gail was 5 and Rudy III was 3. Glorie and Rudy loved their community. Glorie was involved in so many philanthropic activities as well as teaching “How to start your own pre-school” at Marygrove College. Glorie and Rudy loved traditions and goal setting. Every Sunday before Christmas Glorie and Rudy would take the children out to dinner and relive their accomplishments from the previous 12 months and set goals for the year to follow.

When Glorie was 56, Rudy died suddenly at the age of 66. Glorie’s world stopped suddenly. Those who were fortunate enough to know Glorie helped to fill in the gaps. Glorie (Grammie) spent endless hours with her first grandchild, Patrick J Stonisch-Monahan (son of Dr. Mary Sue Stonisch and Mr. Daniel Joseph Monahan). Soon Abigail and John Riggs were born (children of Drs. Patrick and Gail Riggs) and then Rudolph Theodore Stonisch IV followed by another set of twins: Kate and Charles Stonisch (children of Rudolph Theodore Stonisch III and Christine Valvona). An additional blessing for “Grammie” occurred when Mary Sue married Daniel Joseph Monahan. Two more granddaughters were added to our family: Mary Ellen Monahan and Madeline Monahan. Grammie’s heart was full.

Then to our surprise, Glorie fell in love again! A handsome Bolivian geneticist from Purdue University, Dr. Jorge Jimenez. She met him while out with her sweet friends one night in Florida. A budding romance began that evening. They dated for a few years realizing they could not be apart. They were married July 17, 2005 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. We had never seen mom happier. Glorie and Jorge traveled, played, danced and had fun. They laughed and joked with each other constantly. 5 years ago or so Glorie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and later ALS. Jorge cared for Glorie in their Florida home so beautifully and selflessly. He will miss his buddy and life companion as we all will. Glorie passed peacefully in her sleep on Good Friday, March 29, 2024. She is in heaven with a perfected body, singing, and dancing. She will be deeply missed.

We have reserved the weekend of May 17 for a family reunion in Michigan, with a celebration of Glorie's life well lived, at St. Paul's Catholic Church on the Lake, Friday May 17 in state at 11:30am with a service to follow at noon.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts we request donations be made out to: Alzheimer’s Support Network of Naples – 1421 Pine Ridge Rd., Suite 100, Naples, FL. 34109.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home.

Please share memories of Glorie at her guest book below.