Gloria Gertrude Halcom - Blakley

Born in Joplin, Missouri, November 15th, 1943, Gloria Halcom Blakey was the daughter of Alvin and Martha (Fitzpatrick) Smith, sister of Tommy Smith. Even as a child, Gloria’s passion for life, creativity, and those around her were apparent. She loved sewing and making her own clothes, finding comfort in the pages of endless books, or the fierceness of her love for her family.

Leaving Missouri, the Smiths moved to Utah, sparking a life-long love for the Rocky Mountains and the beauty of the natural world around her. There in Utah, Gloria found a new home, one that called to her for the rest of her life. It was also in Utah, where Gloria would meet Donald Halcom, at the age of four. Inseparable even then, she and Donald would build a lifelong romance, unbroken by distance or circumstance. Gloria would later move to and graduate High School in Caster Valley California, she would marry Donald on November 26th of 1961, that same year. It was just a few years later that Gloria entered a new chapter of her life, one that helped define and shape her. Motherhood.

While raising her family in Yakima Washington, Gloria completed her Associates Degree at Yakima Valley Community College, later building a career in nutrition and healthcare. In healthcare, Gloria found a new passion, education. Just as much as Gloria loved to learn, she also loved to educate. She thrived in being able to inspire through education. Helping others grow and find success in the same way she had, and, in the field, she stayed passionate about her entire life. Gloria was never one to shy away from a learning opportunity for herself, or anyone around her.

After the death of Donald, and her own healing, Gloria would remarry to Mark Blakey. Together they moved to Craig Colorado. Starting a new chapter of her life without fear. In Craig, Gloria and Mark built a quiet life in a lovely little home along a canal. They filled their gardens with such beautiful flowers, strawberries, and, wildflowers were sprinkled in their yard. So lovely and serene was her home, that even deer felt safe to rest there in her gardens.

Never one to miss a bargain, Gloria found great pleasure in yard-sales, collecting pigs and just about anything else. Each item was a treasure. Each with a story she needed to know. Gloria loved meeting new friends this way and spent every summer morning searching through books and clothes and supplies for her sewing projects.

No matter who she met and made friends with Gloria would never find a more irreplaceable friend than Susan (Suzy) Worthington. No matter the distance, or time, Gloria and Suzy would always find a way back to each other. Nothing, not even time, could steal away their bond. Gloria’s love for animals, and specifically orange cats also never changed.

Each pet that entered Gloria’s life was loved more fiercely than the last, and spoiled rotten. Before her passing, Gloria was able to achieve her lifelong dream of adopting an orange kitty, Puffy, who, in every moment they were together, knew nothing but love and happiness.

Of all of her blessings, though, maybe it was her unshakable faith, and love for Christ That was most evident. In life, Gloria found comfort in faith, and, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Through any challenge she faced, Gloria found peace, strength and resolution in prayer. Though her family may follow many different paths, in each of them, that seed of faith was planted and nurtured. Gloria saw the beauty and connection that faith brought to her life and shared it with all who would listen.

Gloria is survived by her five children, Carol Rains (John), Michelle Stone (Jeff), Jodi Halcom (Jason), Donald Halcom (Janice), and Jeffery Halcom. Two nephews Michael and Robert Smith. What she was most proud of was her eighteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. Having lived long enough to have five generations of family was a source of great pride for her.

Gloria is preceded in death by Alvin Smith, Martha Smith (Fitzpatrick), Donald Halcom, Tommy Smith, Christopher Stone, John Rains, Christopher Cort.

A special thanks to her eldest daughter, Carol and the staff at Crescent Convalescent and Brookdale Retirement Community. For all of your endless hard work, love, dedication, and care provided to Gloria Halcom Blakey. Without all of you, we would have been lost.

A Graveside Committal will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, 3001 Terrace Heights Dr, Yakima, WA 98901, US, on June 4, 2026, at 12:30 pm.