Gloria Marie Olds

On the still unbelievable morning of Sunday, February 28, 2021, Gloria Marie Olds left our loving presence to return to the angels. It was surprising, sudden, unexpected, and a tragic loss. However, we know that it was a blessing for her. Gloria was soon to engage in a battle with cancer that she could not win. She was spared that tortuous journey.

Anyone who knew Gloria saw that she was a force of nature - Big energy, big enthusiasm, and big accomplishments. She was a bright, witty, creative, professional who shared her talents with her many students, friends and family.

Gloria came to Albuquerque from Chicago in 1949. She spent her childhood in her beloved South Valley, attended UNM and began a 51-year educational career in APS at Rio Grande High School. Not too long after, she returned to UNM for a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling, she later worked in the counseling departments of West Mesa, Cibola, Monroe mid-school and Collett Park Elementary. Interspersed in there were Administrative positions at La Cueva, Cibola, and West Mesa, where she also was the Testing Coordinator and Dean of Students. There was no job she could not perform or master. So valued for her expertise, after one retirement she was asked to return as an APS Consultant. Gloria could not stay away from school and would retire again before really walking away. She cherished that long and rewarding career. Sometime in there, she completed everything for her PhD but her dissertation. She always said that there was just too much to do, and she ran out of time.

Before retirements and after, she squeezed in a variety of personal activities including lunching often with some of her St. Mary's classmates, her counseling buddies and many of her lifelong Italian friends. She participated with the Silver Player Theatrical Group at Albuquerque Little Theatre, was an active member of the PEO chapter of AD of Albuquerque NM, tended to her many pets over the years, guided the Hummel Club of Albuquerque, traveled with her husband and grew plants like a master. It was often said that she could produce roots out of a toothpick.

She was predeceased by her parents, Julia Ricci Fantozzi and Victor Fantozzi, both from Italy. She is survived by her husband of almost 34 years, Rick Olds. Rick was her constant companion, even at the end. She would always refer to him as "the love of my life." And he would always respond, "you're mine."

Gloria's brother, Vic Fantozzi, and sister-in-law, Lynn Collins, were with her also at the end. Her treasured extended family in Albuquerque, Chicago, and Iowa are with her in spirit.

We are all grateful that Gloria was able to avoid the suffering of so many with cancer. But those of us who love her will find no way to avoid our own suffering from this terrible loss and the days ahead without her special presence. We honor her, we applaud her courage and her life, and we will remember her dedicated spirit as long as we remain behind.

Gloria knew that she probably had limited time, so she had discussed her wishes. She did not want services because she didn't want her precious family and friends to be endangered by COVID-19.

She asked that if any donations in her honor were desired that they go to either Casa Angelica (founded by her cousin), Sunflower Animal Sanctuary (one of her favorite charities because they take such good care of the animals), or any animal rescue group that you support.

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