Gloria Jean Ross Darlak

Gloria Jean (Ross) Darlak passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015. She was 73 years old. Born May 31, 1942 and raised in Washington, D.C., she was a resident of New Orleans since 1980. Beloved wife of Colonel Joseph J. Darlak, M.D. for 44 years, she is survived by her children, Mrs. Jean-Pierre (Jeanne) Charlebois of New Orleans, Joseph J. Darlak III of Dallas, Texas, and Jeffrey E. Darlak also of New Orleans; stepdaughter, Laurie Ann Keese of Poolesville, Maryland; and grandchildren, Jake and Ella Darlak of Dallas, Simone Charlebois, and stepgranddaughters, Madelyn, Katelyn, and Mackenzie Keese of Poolesville, Maryland. She is also survived by her sisters, Mrs. John (Carole) Hoover of Kensington, Maryland, Mrs. Thomas (Diane) Oltorik of Charleston, South Carolina, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Ross.

Gloria was a graduate of Holy Trinity High School in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown, and graduated from the University of Dayton in Ohio, with a BA degree in English and History. Well known in the New Orleans community for her volunteer work, Gloria served as President of the LSU Faculty Wives Club; Orleans Parish Medical Alliance; Overture to the Cultural Season; the New Orleans Ballet Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) in its initial year of operation; and the Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association. Prior to this she served in many fundraising capacities including co-Chairman of Overture’s “Muses” gala; BRAVO’s, “Beauty and the Beast,” gala; and the Opera Ball 2004, “Pagliacchi.” Her dedication also extended to the Louisiana State Medical Alliance, Odyssey House, the DePaul Hospital psychiatric ward, and other charities.

She was the recipient of many honors including the Great Lady / Gentleman, East Jefferson Medical Hospital Auxiliary, St. Elizabeth’s Guild Volunteer Activist, and Juvenile Diabetes Living and Giving awards. She was most proud of her 1992 Southern Radiology Medical Heritage award for her “History of Radiology in New Orleans,” and for her Certificate of Merit Service award from both Mayor Marc Morial and Superintendant of Police Pennington in 1997.

Gloria spent several years of travel in Europe during the time of her husband’s service as Chief Radiologist, US Army Europe and Consultant in Radiology to the US Commanding General, thereafter continuing extensive travel worldwide. Among her many social activities, she also enjoyed snow skiing, tennis and bridge.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, November 27, 2015 at 1:00PM. Interment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00AM.

To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.