Ms. Widmann, Gloria, was the BEST Principal I had the privilege to work with at Sussman MS.  She was truly a teacher principal. She believed in her staff.  She always was there to listen to our ideas to improve student learning.  She believed that teachers knew what was best for our students. She had a remarkable memory. She could remember students from years ago.  She spent snack and lunch time talking to students. She believed in a positive school spirit environment. She loved staff potlucks, pep rallies, sports, community fairs, anything that promoted time with family and friends. 
She was an incredible leader who taught me the importance of believing in the people you lead.  She was part of each one of our families.  She attended our staff’s baby showers, weddings, and birthdays.  
Gloria called many of us a year ago when we retired. She was so proud of all we did to ensure the success of our students.  I will always treasure that phone call.  I thanked her for all her support and friendship over the years.   Gloria was loved by so many people.  I will miss her greatly.  ❤️

Yummy persimmon bread, now made in heaven. Delicious apricots, trading baked goods, fruit or homemade soup,  this neighbor and friend will be greatly missed. At the Casa, in the garden, or civic events, this  patriotic American gave back and supported so many others. Her drive-by commentaries were priceless. Pain free and now resting, know that you are loved, dear Gloria.

Everyone who knew Gloria remembers her love for her students and staff.  She was an exemplary principal.

One of my favorite memories is the day Queen Elizabeth came to see the Space Shuttle.  Gloria wanted all of the students at Ward  to see her.  So  she had every student and teacher march from Ward  (at a fast pace) to Lakewood Blvd.  to line the street holding small flags.

I am not sure who was the most excited but my guess is that it was Gloria.

Another time Gloria bragged about her soccer team.  Dick Edwards thought his team at Carpenter was better and challenged her to a match.  Gloria marched her team and cheer leaders (again at a fast pace) to Carpenter for a soccer game.  She was a great example of how to suffer defeat as she set-up a rematch.

Gloria  was one of the best!!

I have known Gloria through our church in San Clemente for several years.  She was always ready to talk, ask questions share information and "gossip"... the good kind.  Every Sunday we chatted and sat together with her friends.  She is sorely missed.  She is probably busy organizing things in heaven right now.  To her family and friends who will miss her condolences.
Larry Smiser

Gloria was an amazing person.  I appreciated her dedication to learning and finding the facts.  She was a force to be reckoned with,   a devoted principal to her staff and students, and an open door policy  meant there would be consideration and follow through.   I will miss her smile and laughter.  I appreciated our talks about politics and family.   I knew her advice was researched and thoughtfully presented as to allow me to think through my morals and values because she would come back and want to chat. 

She had a genuine care for people and a memory that was impressive.  I will miss her but will remember that valuable lessons she taught.

Gloria has been a longtime friend of Casa Romantica and she will be tremendously missed! I will miss her presence and giving her cookies that my husband baked.

Gloria was always smiling and and glad to see everyone. She loved to chat about her search for a new Ford car or what she had been up to in the community! Prayers to all who knew and loved Gloria. We shall miss her on the church patio every Sunday!

Truly one amazing lady! Gloria's office door was always open and she listened to us! She was our strongest advocate and really made us feel valued. I will treasure the many memories I have of all the wonderful times at school, and the get-togethers outside of school. She was one special lady and anything she was invited to like baby showers, weddings, birthdays, etc. she attended with open arms. She always asked about my family, and genuinely cared about my stories about my husband, son, and my lil doggies. In addition, she was like that with EVERYONE at South/Sussman. 
I was so blessed to have had so many wonderful memories with Gloria. I will miss her greatly. She undoubtedly was a special person and will be greatly missed.

Gloria and I came to Sussman Middle School the same year, and I worked with her until she retired. Hands down, Gloria was the best, and my favorite, principal for all the right reasons. She was industrious and hard working. Her work ethic was unparalleled, and she was tireless. She never asked her staff to do anything she herself wasn't willing to do. We always knew when Gloria was near, because the sound of her shoes clacking as she patrolled the hallways could be heard way before she could be seen. Gloria was a very positive person with a fine sense of humor. I will never forget "little Juana Chavez" who brought us much laughter and many smiles in staff meetings. Gloria was kind, sincere, and fair. When invited, she made the drive from San Clemente to attend parties, weddings, funerals, and other life events because she truly cared about her staff. Gloria was definitely one of a kind. She loved to boogie board at the beach near her home. Gloria was quite the conversationalist. She liked to read, talk politics, and discuss the benefits of painting her home  (Medici white) during the month of September. She enjoyed traveling and serving her community. Gloria was fun to be around, and she never seemed to run out of energy. She was always available and made time to listen. She had a way about her that made everyone feel special and important. I will miss exchanging Christmas cards with Miss Widmann and hearing her voice when she called every now and then. I'm deeply saddened to hear of her passing. However, I do know that Gloria was a woman of faith, so I believe I will see her again.

Gloria was the BEST principal ever.  I can't think of anyone with more energy, drive, or dedication to both students and staff.  She never missed a day, arriving by 6:30 even after a late event the night before.  And she attended every event.  Her work ethic was unparalleled: she walked the halls, picked up trash, stuffed envelopes, helped supervise students, kept the whole school clean, did staff evaluations, prepared us for state reviews and testing, and was fair and professional, all while keeping an open door.  She always had time to hear new ideas, act on suggestions, figure out answers.  I won't forget the "all calls", the whirl wind class visits, or the impromptu conference calls to the district. She had a great sense of humor and a positive outlook on life.  Gloria knew about my family and life outside school, and made me feel valued.  I regularly got notes of appreciation and credit for jobs well done.  Her expectations were high, and I believe her high bar made my teaching so much better.  She had such a positive influence, and I believe truly created a difference by example.

Gloria and I started at Sussman Middle School the same year. It was my first teaching job and she immediately took me under her wing. She never missed an opportunity to support and showcase my Art program, gave me everything I needed to be successful, and I believe she really cared about me as a person. When I unfortunately was injured and missed an entire semester of teaching, she personally took a photo of each and every one of my 175 students and had them make a get well card for me. She scrap booked the entire group and added the photos to each card. How she knew everyone’s names was amazing. That was just the kind of person she was, always going above and beyond to make us feel that she really cared about us. I loved working with her for 14 years and I will miss her exuberant personality.

Gloria was one of my favorite principals! She expected a high standard from all of us. I so appreciated the fact that she cared about her staff and their families, and she kept the lines of communication open with us. She was honest, hard working, and loads of fun.

Gloria was a force; full of energy, fun, and enthusiasm! She had an unbelievable work ethic and high standards for herself and others.  She led by example and taught me how to get the job done! She cared about our personal lives, didn’t miss a chance to celebrate us, and showed up whenever we asked her to.  Gloria made all of us better. I’ll miss her faster than lightening walking pace, high speed driving, quirky personality, laughter, intelligence, and compassion she showered on others. There really was or is no one like her.  I’m thankful for her Christian faith and that she is now with our Savior.

OBITUARY

Gloria Bess Widmann

September 18, 1946 – July 25, 2024

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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