Gloria Jane Davis

Gloria Jane Davis (Smart) passed away peacefully at the Foothills Medical Center in Calgary on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the age of 77 years. Born in Toronto, Ontario, on December 17, 1947, to Frank and Vera Smart, Gloria’s life was marked by kindness, generosity, and a deep love for her family and community.

Gloria’s memory will be cherished by her daughter, Corinne Ostapiw, son-in-law Michael, and her grandchildren, Rayna and Kellen, who brought her immense pride and joy. She will also be lovingly remembered by her three sisters—Patti Bray, Debi Raddatz, and Bev Tremblay—their families, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family: Patti, Fred, Hilary, and Michael; Debi, Stephanie, Rianna, and Mark; Bev, Ryan, and Tina; their partners and children, as well as countless friends and acquaintances she met throughout her life.

Gloria was predeceased by her beloved parents, Vera Margarite Smart (Fowler) and Frank Leroy Smart, her brothers Jim and Paul Smart, and her brother-in-law Frank Raddatz.

Gloria spent her early years in Ontario, living in Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie, and Richmond Hill, before moving to Calgary with her family at age 16. She attended Western Canada High School and, as a strong and independent woman, worked tirelessly as a single parent to provide a loving home for her daughter.

Gloria dedicated 27 years of her career to the University of Calgary, where she was a valued member of the community. After retiring, she continued her commitment to service by working for the United Way for another 10 years. Gloria’s generosity extended far beyond her professional life—she was a devoted volunteer, giving her time and energy to organizations such as Girl Guides of Canada, Calgary Presbytery (United Church), In From the Cold, the 1988 Calgary and 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the Calgary Stampede Parade (U of C float), speed skating events at the Olympic Oval, and Symons United Church, where she sang in the choir, participated in church plays and coordinated church facility rentals.

Music was a lifelong passion for Gloria. She loved singing and, later in life, fulfilled her dream of taking singing lessons, sharing her beautiful voice with her church choir and all who knew her. She found great joy in attending performances by the Calgary Philharmonic and Theatre Calgary, which became her favourite forms of entertainment.

Gloria also enjoyed golf, cooking, and sharing meals with family and friends. Her sisters fondly remember using her cherished recipes, a testament to the warmth and love she brought to every gathering. Gloria’s home was always open—she welcomed speed skating athletes and Japanese exchange students, creating a welcoming space for all.

In 1988, Gloria volunteered for the Calgary Winter Olympics, and her passion for speed skating led her to timekeeping at the Olympic Oval for many years. She even traveled to Vancouver in 2010 to volunteer at the Winter Olympics, paying her own way to be part of the event.

In recent years, Gloria faced the challenges of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a rare neurodegenerative disease linked to dementia that gradually took away her ability to speak and understand language. Despite these hardships, her spirit, kindness, and love for her family and community remained undiminished.

Gloria’s legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and unwavering love. She touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. In lieu of flowers to donate to In From the Cold (https://innfromthecold.org/donate/).

A private Urn Committal Ceremony will be held at Queen’s Park Cemetery.