Gloria Gomez Loffert

“A Legacy of Love”

Gloria Gomez Loffert (Gloria Florence “Glo” Loffert), 85, entered into the gates of Heaven, on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Dallas, Texas.

Glo (or “Mema”, as she is affectionately known by her family) was born on February 25, 1932, in Donora, Pennsylvania, one of three daughters of the late Anthony “Skinny” Gomez & Mary Rachel “Lila” (Montequin) Gomez. She graduated from Union High School, Burgettstown, PA, in 1950, marrying her high school sweetheart, George Loffert, Jr., on June 6, 1956, in the beautiful West Point Chapel, located on the grounds of the United States Military Academy, and together they traveled the world, in service of America, during which time the Lord blessed them with three children – Rick, Monica, and Lauri.

In 1978 – after 20+ years of being a devoted Army wife, Mother, and homemaker – while Lt. Colonel (Retired) George Loffert taught at the Texas State Technical Institute, Glo began working for the Killeen Independent School District and was a member of the Killeen Educational Secretaries Association (KESA). For over 25 years as the Attendance Secretary for Ellison High School and Manor Middle School, she poured her life into the hearts of the students. As members of First Baptist Church, Killeen, where she and George have attended for decades, Glo sang in the Choir and served on the Money Counting Committee, as well as the Bereavement Committee, and she further served the community as a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union.

In their “spare time”, George and Gloria were an integral part of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, donated their time and efforts to promote the Young Eagles program, and attended every airshow within hundreds of miles. Glo loved weekly visits with her Magic Mirror “gals”, playing Bunco, cooking her famous longaneza sausage, baking cookies & cakes for the neighbors, fire fighters, mailman, & garbage truck drivers, going out to dinner, and watching Classic movies with her family.

As her children married and grandkids were born, “Mema” came alive with special gifts for her grandchildren that included hand-crocheted personalized blankets, stuff animals, candies, cakes, and other goodies born in the heart of a grandmother, and along with “Pap”, they created amazing memories for their loved ones. Her favorite celebration of the year was Thanksgiving, surrounded by her family and friends – expressing her love through her passion for cooking. And even though a Texas resident for decades, Mema’s heart was planted in Pennsylvania, and as every winter approached, she prayed to experience the White Christmases of her youth.

Glo was predeceased by her parents, as well as her sisters Mary Rachel (Montequin) Cregut and Pacita “Pat” (Montequin) Samuel.

Along with a thousand loving memories to be cherished by us all, Glo leaves her faithful husband of 60 years, George; her cherished children: Rick Loffert and his wife, Jan (of Hampton, Georgia); Monica Wilhelm and her husband, Greg (of Midlothian, Texas); and Lauri Hartley and her husband, Bruce (of Waxahachie, Texas); and grandchildren, Brittany Moses and her husband, Christopher (of Atlanta, Georgia); Brennan Loffert and his wife, Jena (of Savannah, Georgia); Phillip Hartley (of Houston, Texas); and Eliana and Jared Wilhelm (of Midlothian, Texas) – along with sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and many more friends whose lives she impacted over the years.

Even as she drew closer to the Throne of her Lord, Gloria reached out to touch the hearts of her Baylor-Scott & White Nurses, Chaplains, Doctors, & Staff, who were drawn to her genuine spirit of love, appreciation, and witty humor – warmed by the Light of Jesus shining from her twinkling eyes and beautiful smile.

“Mema, thank you for leaving us your Legacy of Love ~ We promise to carry it on!”

Friends and relatives are invited to a Visitation at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, in Killeen, on Tuesday, March 28th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 1:00 pm, at the First Baptist Church, 3310 South W. S. Young Drive, Killeen, Texas.

Texas services will be followed by a family celebration of her life on Saturday, April 1, 2017, in Burgettstown, PA, at the Lee & Martin Funeral Home, with an 11:00 a.m. Visitation, a 1:00 p.m. Memorial, and a 2:15 p.m. Graveside Service.

Flowers may be sent to the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 S. Fort Hood Street, Killeen, Texas 76542 (254-634-2638) or the Lee and Martin Funeral Home, 73 Highland Ave, Burgettstown, PA 15021 (724-947-9518).

For those wanting to honor Gloria – in lieu of flowers – memorial contributions may be made payable to:

• The Baylor Health Care System Foundation (benefiting the Baylor Dallas Pastoral Care program), 3600 Gaston Ave, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75246 (or online at https://give.baylorhealth.com/);

• The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 (or online at https://donate3.cancer.org); or

• St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (or online at https://www.stjude.org/give.html).

Arrangements under the direction of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, Killeen, TX.