Gloria Jean Okerstrom

Gloria was born in Summerland, BC on November 25, 1945, the only child of Frank and Helen Tilbe who loved her beyond compare. She spent her childhood in Summerland living on an idyllic property with fruit trees and a creek running through it. She had a close circle of friends and enjoyed many happy times with them and her extended family. Upon graduating from Summerland High School (where she was the Class Poet for graduation) Gloria enrolled at the University of Victoria where she met the love of her life, Doug Okerstrom.

Doug and Gloria were married on August, 20, 1966 and Gloria soon left university to start her career as a teacher. In 1969 Gloria gave birth to Susan, and the family moved to Port Coquitlam. While Gloria became a stay-at-home mom, Doug embarked on his teaching career with the Coquitlam School District. In 1973, Mark was born and Gloria continued to focus on her family and community volunteering. She was a hostess with Welcome Wagon, gave classroom presentations in elementary schools on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross, canvassed for the Cancer Society and was a fixture at Viscount Elementary School, creating amazing displays in the library and helping out with field trips and special events over the 12 years her children attended the school.

As Mark and Sue got older, Gloria went back to teaching; first as a substitute at various elementary schools in the Coquitlam School District, then on permanent staff at Mountain Meadows Elementary in Port Moody where she taught kindergarten and served as an administrative department head for many years before retiring. She absolutely loved being a teacher and was always so pleased in later years to run in to former students or their parents and hear about their lives.

While Gloria loved being at home and always had a “project” on the go, the family spent many summers exploring BC, camping and visiting grandparents in the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island, and also took a memorable road trip down the west coast of the US. Gloria loved the ocean and spent many happy hours in Birch Bay, first at the trailer park across the street from the beach and then at the cottage in Birch Bay Village. Upon retirement, Gloria and Doug spent quite a bit of time in Birch Bay, enjoyed several cruises, trips to Hawaii and travelling to see Mark and his family, and when Sue, Pat and the kids moved to Ontario she enjoyed a few visits there as well. Gloria also picked up her paint brushes again to create some wonderful works of art, many which are on display in their home.

Creativity was a hallmark of everything Gloria did. Whether it was actual art in various mediums, a lesson for her students, a home renovation, or helping one of her kids or grandchildren with any type of project, she had an artistic flair that elevated everything she touched. She was an excellent cook and took great pride in serving delicious meals to family and friends as well.

Gloria was fortunate to have a network of good friends, particularly “the Dinner Group” and in retirement “the Golf Group”, with whom she enjoyed numerous adventures, meals and great times. She also liked to keep in touch with a network of friends and relatives who lived farther away including her cousin Donna, who was like a sister to Gloria in many ways. In fact, one of the most memorable cruises Doug and Gloria took through the Panama Canal was enjoyed with Donna and her husband Claire.

Family was always the most important priority for Gloria. She was immensely proud of her kids and loved their spouses Pat and Julie like they were her own children too. Spending time with her four grandchildren always gave her great delight, especially when the whole family was together. She was also a devoted daughter and daughter-in-law.

Gloria was the communication hub of the family; ready to pick up the phone for a short chat or a long conversation or send a newsy e-mail. With her quick-draw reflexes that the family teased her about, it was rare for the phone to ring more than twice if you called when she was home. Gloria loved hearing the news of her family’s lives and always enjoyed a chuckle about the exploits of the family dogs too.

While Gloria battled cancer for 16 years, she refused to let it define her – “I have cancer, it doesn’t have me” was her attitude. She endured numerous operations, chemotherapy and radiation treatments head on with unimaginable courage and amazing grace. When she finally had to give up her battle, she continued to think about Doug and her family and how to make her last weeks as easy as possible for them. She was a true graceful warrior.

There are no words to explain how deeply Gloria will be missed by Doug, Susan, Mark, Pat, Julie, Samantha, Cameron, Kate and Paige along with many close friends and family. Gloria was a beacon of strength and hope, and cherished memories of her will live on forever in our hearts.