Gloria Vogel

Gloria was born in Chiswick, London on March 8, 1939, as England was sitting on the brink of World War II. Her parents and she survived the war while living in Ipswich and welcomed her sister, Dawn to the family. Her parents, Samuel and Phyllis, moved around quite a bit while growing the family furniture and export enterprise. The family emigrated to Canada for a couple of years and Gloria always referred to that as the happiest time in her childhood.

As a teenager, Gloria graduated from Pittman’s Secretarial College and started her career as a corporate secretary. On March 17, 1963, Gloria came for an extended stay to Los Angeles to visit her aunts in Beverly Hills. Little did she know at that moment, that California would become her forever home. She enjoyed her work as a young woman working at Great Western and The Helms Foundation. She met her lifelong friends Peggy and Jo during this time along with her dear friend Margie.

On Election Night 1968, she had the great fortune of meeting William Arrasmith. He backed his car into her VW Bug on purpose to procure her phone number. They were married two months later on January 14, 1969. Bill, as he was affectionately known, came with three adult children, one young daughter and two grandchildren. Gloria accepted the constantly growing family as her own and was a loving stepmom and step-grandma, especially to Bill’s young daughter Christine.

In 1971, they adopted Jane who was the light in Gloria’s life.

Life in the Arrasmith household was warm, fun and filled with family visits, trips to special places and endless love and support. Sadly, in the early 80’s, Bill became ill with Parkinson’s. Gloria was primary caregiver to Bill until he passed in January 1990. Gloria was 50 years old and widowed.

The next chapter of her life included her marriage to Dr. Stanley Vogel, their many adventures, her active philanthropy work and the expansion of her family to include her beloved son in law, Jim.

Early 2007 was marked with immense joy and profound sadness with the arrival of Granddaughter Grace and the loss of Stanley; all within six weeks. Gloria’s life turned to the support of her young family. “Super Nana” moved to the same street as the family and became the third parent to Grace.

Gloria found love again with her sweetheart Tom. They made a choice to reside in California and help raise Grace. Tom brought light and happiness back into her life. They enjoyed dinners, trips, social events and then, as time marched on, quiet evenings on the couch.

Gloria’s Lupus/Pulmonary Fibrosis progressed with many complications, but she fought like a warrior to maintain her life. Her mind never surrendered, but her body was just too ravaged to continue. She passed away peacefully in her home on December 10, 2024, with her loved ones by her side. Gloria is survived by daughter Jane, grand daughter Grace, son in law Jim, sister Dawn, sweetheart Tom, step- daughter Christine. She was treasured by her nieces, nephew, Minnesota family and countless friends. A life is measured by who remembers and talks about you with love when you are gone. Her spirit lives on inside all of us.