Just got word of Gloria's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. She was a good friend and colleague of my mother's. I will never forget the foursome every Monday night with Gloria, Alice Richards, Gladys Slater and my mom playing Meijong or cards. They had so much fun talking about their students or things that happened at school.  There were so many other events that they attended together - especially Delta Kappa Gamma.  You all were great neighbors when we lived on Northwind. God bless you all. 

Struggling with math in 5th grade class, Mrs. Robles encouraged me to come in early for help. She explain that I was a very smart child and simply need more time than most students to comprehend information. On the next test and all that followed in her class, I received an A. She had taught me to persevere, a lesson that led to all my successes include a PhD. in Experimental Psychology.  No teacher had a greater effect on my life and I suspect many other students. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. 

I was so sorry to hear that Gloria had passed away last week. Although she has been in poor health the last few years, it was heartwarming to see how devoted her family was to her. They visited often and made sure she was never alone. Gloria loved to go to morning mass and they would always take her. A beautiful and loving family. 

As a child, moving to El Paso from Houston halfway through elementary school was quite an experience.  I had no background, nor exposure to the Spanish language, and was ridiculed for my mispronunciation of vocabulary due to a deep south Texas twang.  Eventually, I was fortunate to be placed in Mrs. Robles Spanish class.  She immersed her students in the language and culture.  She created a home for us.  She welcomed, and reprimanded each of her students as her own, and we felt it.  We knew she cared.  She was vivacious, vibrant, and maternal all at once. 

My memories are of her as one of my favorite teachers, but that restricts her impact to her occupation.  Her impact on my life is much more than that.  She has a permanent presence as a role model, inspirational and aspirational, devoid of curriculum.

My heart breaks for her family, while celebrating  her impactful life.  God bless and console you in this time of loss.  May you be comforted knowing she permanently and positively affected so many.

Deepest condolences to the Robles and Armijo families.  Mrs. Robles, our teacher at Putnam Elementary School 50 years ago, was simply wonderful.  She created and nurtured a love of learning, including through reading especially.  Such a lovely, kind, and gracious lady.

My dear Rebecca, I just read the notice of your Mother's passing July 21, 2021. My sincerest condolences. Earl, my husband enjoyed her sense of humor and he admired her sincerity and frankness, A beautiful person who will be missed so much by you and her friends.  My heartfelt sympathy to you who was so devoted to her.  My sympathy to your sisters and all of the family. 

Marge Kimmel(Earl)

Gloria, Georgina, Rebecca & Virginia, my deepest condolences for your loss. Your mother was a very special women I always called her my adopted mother. I am sorry I did not go an visit her before she passed. My prayers and love are with you all.

Mrs. Robles was one of my favorite teachers. Her love of life and learning were evident to all who encountered her.  As a teacher at Putnam,   she gave so much energy to her students and transferred her enthusiasm for learning Spanish.  I recall fondly the Loteria games she played with us to expand our Spanish vocabulary.   I remember her introducing me to buñuelos that she would make and bring to class around Christmas time.  I looked forward to those every year.  It was clear she loved El Paso, Texas, America and her students.  Teachers have the opportunity to have a profound impact on their students and Gloria Robles was one who made the most of that opportunity.   

To Virginia, Gloria, Georgina and Rebecca, I am sorry for your loss, but know that a little bit of your mother lives on in the hearts so many of her students. God Bless you all.  

Mrs. Robles was the best!  She really taught us not just a subject, but a skill- I have used Spanish my whole life and will continue to do so for the rest of my life and I owe it to her.  Most people marvel at my vocabulary, and if it weren't for her and Mrs. Brooks at CHS, I would be lost in this borderland in many of the conversations going on around me.  She was an angel on Earth and contributed to so many of our lives in teaching language, culture, and civics.  I have always valued and appreciated the education she and other teachers at Putnam were effortlessly giving to us from Kindergarten to sixth grade.  

She was a stylish woman who dressed up to teach from all around the room (she was energetic).  She always wore vibrant colors accessorizing with jewelry, shoes, scarves. Her demeanor contributed to her ensembles with very dramatic expressions, gestures, and vocal variety--I would say she was passionate and took her job very seriously.  

When I moved back to El Paso in 2006, I would attend Women's Auxillary meetings with my mother who had been her classmate at UTEP and I would always address her as Señora Robles and thank her profusely for her lessons, having used Spanish in conversations at work and at home in cities like Los Angeles, Vail, Fort Lauderdale, Tulsa, Detroit and Miami, in travel and in everyday El Paso conversations at local events or on errands.  

To Virginia (my classmate), Rebecca, Georgina, and Gloria, your mother was a role model and such a wonderful person.  I am glad for all of you that she had a very long and fruitful life- what a blessing for you! There are thousands of lives she touched with her passion and love for life.  I am sure I am not alone in saying that I will NEVER forget her and I thank God she was my teacher.  My condolences to you, but I am confident you will hear many testimonies to the difference she made in this El Paso community in all the aspects of her life.  She will be missed, and never forgotten!
Love, GHG 


My favorite 5th grade teacher at Putnam Elementary School - in 1970.  In the afternoon she would turn down the lights and read to us.  I distinctly remember her reading  A Wrinkle In Time!  It was my favorite time of the school day listening to her.   I think she also read us Animal Farm.

Visitation

Vigil Service

Funeral Mass

Graveside Service

Gloria Robles Ray

Georgina Riddle

Rebecca Robles

Virginia Robles

She was preceded in death by her parents Benjamin and Jovita Armijo, her sisters Genoveva Gonzalez, Mary Esther Licon, Rebecca Nave and her brothers Jesus, Filiberto and Ignacio Gonzalez.


She is survived by her nephew Nicholas R. Nave, grandchildren Morgan and Ryan Riddle and Cristina and Sydney Ray; and many nephews and nieces.

OBITUARY

Gloria A. Robles

8 June, 1924 – 16 July, 2021

Martin Funeral Home

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