Obituary: Gloria M. Shay (May 28, 1926 – Dec. 3, 2011)

Longtime Smith River resident Gloria M. Shay went home to be with the Lord on December 3, 2011. She was 85.

Gloria was born May 28, 1926, in Quincy, Mass. She moved out to California with her family at the age of 18, where she worked for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach during WWII as a riveter on military aircraft. Following the war, in 1948, Gloria married Louis Cobarruviaz. They had two children, Yvonne and Charlie, but later divorced in 1952. In 1953, Gloria married Phillip Shay. They made their home in Smith River, where they had two children, Susan and Kieth. Phillip operated Anderson’s Plumbing and Heating while Gloria raised their children. She also did the books for Phillip’s business.

She began a hobby of hand-raising exotic birds, which she grew into a business that she would operate for more than 15 years. Gloria also loved being a homemaker and would spend her time cooking and baking, sewing, crocheting and embroidering. She even made much of the clothing worn by her children. She also liked to work with her flower and vegetable gardens. Gloria was a 15-year member of and active in the Fort Dick Bible Church.

Survivors include her children, Charlie Shay of Crescent City, Yvonne Cobarruviaz of Crescent City, Barbara James and her husband, Doug of San Bernardino, Calif., Susan Elsey of Oak Harbor, Wash., grandchildren, Tony Shay, Kathleen Cobarruviaz, Neil and Aaron Elsey, Louis and Luke Clayburn, Jennifer Valencia, Christina Martinez, great-grandchildren, Elise Panteta, Vanessa and Carys Parham, Sara Jo Clayburn, Maxine, Claire, Belle and Thomas, sister, Alice Bickle of Kingman, Ariz.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip, son, Kieth Shay, brother, Charles Currier, sisters, Angeline Baldasini and Frances Ahlers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Dick Bible Church, 6725 Lake Earl Drive, Crescent City, CA 95531, to the American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or to Love A Child, Inc., PO Box 60063, Ft. Meyers, FL 38906 for earthquake relief in Haiti.

Viewing will be held at the Fort Dick Bible Church, 6725 Lake Earl Drive, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Roger Daley officiating. Concluding services will be held at the Smith River Cemetery followed by a potluck luncheon at the Church.

Redwood Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.

net.

— Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel