Gloria A Venable

Gloria was born in Austin, Texas on December 26, 1926. Delivered by her grandmother Refugia Ramirez, an experienced mid-wife, on the family cotton farm. Glorias mother, Lucille (Luz) Ramirez had returned home to Texas from Chicago, IL. The big city had attracted Lucille and many of her 12 brothers and sisters during the roaring 20s. Gloria and her younger sister Mary were raised in humble surroundings, sharing beds, baths, and hand me downs. Living in what were called cold water flats, childhood years was during the great depression. Spanish was Glorias first language. With many aunts and uncles all speaking Spanish, the opportunity to learn English came in grammar school. Gloria was a serious child, always did very well in school. She loved to run and dance, always tall and slim, they called her "Molanco". She went to work as soon as she could. Factory work (sliding Bobby pins on to cardboard) and photography studio, dark room developing film. There were lots of sailors in port at Chicago, these were the years of WWII. Friends set up a blind date for James Venable and Gloria. They went roller skating at a roller rink in Chicago. Jim was shy, quiet, tall, and handsome. A Mormon boy from Ogden, Utah, serving in the Navy while dating/courting had to be through the mail. They married in June of 1945 and settled in Chicago, IL. They began their family with their son Richard (1946) Paul. Gloria had become a secretary, she thrived in that atmosphere. She always had her hair done and dressed up for work- always fashionable dress and skirts hose panty girdles and heels. Her mother Lucille became an important part of our family. 8 years after their 1st child, 3 more came fairly quickly, John (1954), Nina (1956), Betty (1958), and Grandma lived with us to care for us while Gloria and Jim worked full time. Jim worked for Pennsylvania RR until the family moved to Long Beach, CA. Gloria was raised catholic, converted to Mormonism at 28, was sealed in Salt Lake Temple to Jim. She loved the church, held many callings and as a family we were active. Most dear to her heart career was at Span American Inst. SAI of Long Beach, so much more than secretarial work, her work involved helping teens stay in school and work towards further education. She retired from SAI Early 1980s. Jim passed away in September 1976. She re-married… Wil Croxall and traveled the world. Always keeping her faith and promises. She settled in Canada with Wil where she had a small but wonderful church family. (Wil was not LDS) She lived in Canada for 26 years until she was once again widowed. In 2014 Gloria came back to California to live out her final years close to her daughters, Nina in Jurupa Valley, Betty in Wildomar, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She took care of herself in her own apartment until December 2022. She had a fall in her home and broke her back and foot. She had back surgery and recovered well, walking, and puttering around and still doing a bit of dusting and dishes, now living in Ninas house. Small increments of decline could be seen daily. She passed away quietly and peacefully at home, with her girls, Nina and Betty at her bedside on May 15, 2023. If you would like to honor her, donate in her name to Spanish American Institute, Long Beach, CA. If you would like to make a donation please go to https://saischolars.org/ Visitation The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 44th St 8660 44th Street Riverside, California 92509 Thursday 5/25, 9:30 am Service The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 44th St 8660 44th Street Riverside, California 92509 Thursday 5/25, 10:30 am Cemetery Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Cypress Thursday 5/25, 1:00 pm