Gloria Wanland

Gloria Wanland was called home to her Lord Jesus on December 16,2022. She was 96 years old. Gloria was born December 11, 1926, in Paducah, Kentucky to Al and Nell Pfalzer. She graduated from Berea College School of Nursing in Berea, Kentucky where she met her soul mate Jim Wanland, who was in the Navy V12 at the college. They married in 1946. They would eventually settle in California where they raised their family. They later retired to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Mom and Dad went without a lot in order to take vacations with their kids - traveling to National Parks, off-roading in an old Willys Jeep, dry camping under the stars in the Mohave Desert and boating on Lake Havasu. Mom later lived with her daughter and son in-law, relocating with them to Albuquerque in 2005.

Mom had an appreciation for life that made her a joy to be with. She made friends easily and maintained many dear friendships until she simply outlived them.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her son, Rex; and her son in-law, Jim Hewett. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Barbara Wanland; grandchildren, Jesica, RaeAnn, and Erika; and great-grandchildren, Paizley, Wyatt, Canyon, Colter, Logan, and Matthew.
She is also survived by her daughter, Sue Hewett, with whom she lived and who was her caregiver throughout her last years.

Thank you to dear friends Idalia and Margaret whose love and support were unfailing. Thank you to neighbors Louise and Jack who were always available to help in any way. Thank you to our wonderful church family at Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church. And thank you to Dr. Sarah Pirio-Richardson, mom's gifted neurologist, who was a constant in mom's care to the end.

Mom was there for my first breath, and I was there for her last. When I was a child, she showed me what it was to sacrifice for those whom you love. I tried to return to her the same grace given to me, as Parkinson's and Cerebellar Ataxia ravaged her body and made her dependent for all care. But what these terrible diseases could never steal were her twinkly blue eyes.

We are grateful that she is now free from all her suffering and comforted knowing we are bound by a tapestry of love and memory that remains forever.