Gloria Emelda Gittens

Our hearts are broken at the sudden passing of our beloved mother and grandmother Gloria Emelda Gittens on July 31st, 2024, at age 89. At the time of her passing, she lived with her elder daughter Melinda in Pompano Beach, Florida. Born on October 24th, 1934, in Christianburg, Guyana, she was the second daughter of Janet Willery nee Finlayson and Cyril Willery.

She was one of four children. Joan, Desmond, and Barbara, all of whom predeceased her. Her formative years were spent at the Carmel RC School. She then went to St. Joseph's High School. Following her completion of secondary school, she went to commercial school. Her first job was with the Booker Group -BG Box Makers, where she was secretary to the General Manager. She later met Claude H. Gittens, a production supervisor at BG Boxmakers, and they married.

They were happily married for 51 years until the passing of her beloved "the lad'" in May 2011. Two daughters, Melinda Elizabeth and Yolande Anne, were born of their union.

After marriage, she went to work at Guyana Timbers Limited and later the Guyana Timber Export Board. Well versed in the timber industry, she could name and identify every species of hardwood native to Guyana. In fact, dad had nothing to do with the wood used in the construction of the interior of their Republic Park home. Every board was carefully handpicked by mom, including the beautiful concave wall paneling of different coloured hardwoods that runs the length of the interior of their home.

Also, a cooking and baking enthusiast, her time away from work, was spent devoted to her husband, children, and church. Our home was always filled with warm and welcoming aromas of food and baked treats. Although a bit of an introvert, nothing gave her greater joy than to cook for her husband and her children's friends who often visited. She also enjoyed gardening and had a green thumb. Mom even planted carrots.

A kind and warm-hearted woman, she was generous to a fault. The values she imparted were straightforward. Live honestly. Have integrity. Be loyal and faithful and treat every person no matter their station in life, with respect and kindness.

Such kindness and warmth were evident in her friendships of close to sixty years with Norma Sue, Olive Agostini, Maureen Fung-A-Fat, Ira Timothy, Janis Balgobin and Olive Clark. Mom preferred to spend time at home with us. She loved board games and mastered draughts, checkers, and of course, her favourite Scrabble. We will never forget that look of glee every time she played a seven-letter word and soundly trashed us.

She will be greatly missed by her daughters Melinda and Yolande, granddaughter Victoria, Glennie, Justin and Kayla; as well as her nieces, nephews and many of our friends whom she "adopted" as her own over the years. May God's perpetual light shine always on our beloved mother.