Gloria M Thompson

Gloria was born in Sand Creek, Washington, the third of five children. She was names Cora Mae Sullivan. Her family was very poor and lacked the basic necessities of life. Her mother became very ill, and the State Welfare Agency took the three younger children to a State Orphanage.

When she was about to be adopted, at age six, by Robert and Jessie Huff, she refused to go with them. They wanted to name her Alice; she wanted Gloria. She wanted to be named after the young lady that helped with her baths. When they left the orphanage, her legal name became Gloria Marion Huff, and her place of birth was Port Angeles, Washington. Upon arriving at her new home, she met her new brothers, Henry and James.

She was a child of the Depression and World War II and had a hard life. As she grew older, she wanted to become self-sufficient. She went to business school and became an excellent typist. She typed messages for the Army at Fort Lewis. She then married Duane Smithem who she met at the base. They had seven children, Duane Jr., David, Debra, Donna, Darlene, Diana, and Daniel (Danny boy). Gloria's typing and shorthand skills supported her children. She became an executive secretary for Kaiser Permanenta. After 20 years of marriage, Duane and Gloria divorced, and Gloria became a single parent.

She owned her own home for many years; she was independent. She loved her rescue dog, Spot, and growing her gardens.

In her later years she met and fell in love with Walter Stewart. They were sealed together in the Portland Oregon Temple as husband and wife.

As age progressed, and accidents happened, she needed help. She lost her independence after a stroke and eventually moved in with Debra and her husband Scott. They were together through the Covid years but made the best of it. They watched movies and sang her favorite songs. Sometime she requested ice cream for breakfast and popcorn, to go with dinner and a movie. She enjoyed living with them for about four and a half years. Debra's health took a serious turn, and she became physically unable to care for Mom. Eventually Mom moved to Maple Springs Nursing Home in North Logan to be near Donna and Jim in 2023. She was loved by all who cared for her, and she loved them. Gloria passed away on April 12, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her sons, David and Danny, and grandchildren, K.C. and Jerryann. She had thirteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at the Providence Utah Cemetery, 925 River Heights Blvd, River Heights, Utah on April 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.