Gloria Mae Cantwell (nee Burgess) passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on December 18, 2023 at Altercare Western Reserve in Stow, Ohio, where she resided since August of 2020. Gloria was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1929 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Ronald who passed away in 2012 and her son Christopher Alan who passed in 2015. She is survived by her son Timothy, his wife Kimberly, grandsons Ryan (Molly), Austin (Lauren), and Garrett (Abby), five great-grandchildren ages 5 to 11, her daughter-in-law Margo and two twin step great-grandchildren age 16.

During Gloria's early childhood, she and her parents moved from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania to Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from John Hay High School in Cleveland, Ohio with a concentration in business administration. Early in her career, Gloria worked as an administrative assistant in Cleveland, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland. In 1957 she turned her attention from working in the world of business to raise her two boys and to run the family household smoothly. After Gloria's children were grown, she studied and became proficient in American Sign Language which led to a new career as a sign language instructor and interpreter for special-needs students. She later blended her administrative and teaching skills to become a primary school teacher at a prominent private academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gloria continued working in the field of early childhood development as a teacher/caregiver at two Ohio-based pre-schools following her husband's retirement and move from Oklahoma back to Ohio. Her love of sign language never abated as she entertained others through her "signing to song" for churches and nursing homes which she continued to do well into her 90's.

To honor Gloria's request during this Christmas Season, a funeral service and calling hours will not be held immediately. A private ceremony led by her son and his immediate family will be held during the Christmas Holiday for her remembrance. A Celebration of life is being planned for May 24, 2024 to be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 8592 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, Ohio to bring her family and friends together for her remembrance and fellowship. Details will be provided to family and friends on or before April, 2024.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the loving, compassionate care provided by Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care and the staff of Altercare Western Reserve. Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gloria's name to St. Jude Hospital, a charity she and her husband faithfully supported through their years together. Donations to St. Jude Hospital may be made at:
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html OR, https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html