Gloria Jane Morgan

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Gloria Jane (Flynn) Morgan passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024. Gloria was born on August 18, 1927 to John C. and Lillian M. Flynn in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She was the second of three daughters.

Despite growing up during the Great Depression, Gloria enjoyed a happy childhood and shared many fond memories of ice skating, sledding, shopping, and dancing. She was very close to her sisters. While attending Albert Lea High School, World War II raged and she became a pen pal to a sailor, William (Bill) E. Morgan. After the war, Bill traveled to Albert Lea to meet her. They were married in 1946 and moved to Corvallis, Oregon while Bill attended Oregon State University.

Together, Gloria and Bill had four sons: John Ralph (Gloria); Alan William (Mi Yong); James Paul; and Bryan Eugene (Dianne). Gloria spent many years supplementing her husband’s banker’s salary working at the former Lipman’s Department Store in Eastport Plaza in Portland. Bill and Gloria went on several cruises, including Alaska, Caribbean, and St Lawrence Seaway. They traveled to Germany and Hawaii while their son, Alan, was in the military.

Gloria supported her family during the ups and downs of life with grace and love, and with guidance from her faith in God. In 1971, Gloria was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings. She was always willing to bring neighbors meals or to share her talents with others. She spent the last few decades of her life living in Vancouver, Washington.

Gloria had a passion and gift for interior design and gardening. She spent hours redecorating rooms throughout her home and working in her yard. Gloria also loved to craft, decorate doll houses, scrapbook, and make cards. It wasn’t unusual to find her doing a jigsaw puzzle, working on a crossword puzzle, coloring, or reading a good book. She loved to shop and enjoyed outings to Fred Meyer with her sister, Margaret.

Gloria loved to host family gatherings and to use her fine China. Christmas celebrations were her favorite, and her grandchildren always looked forward to “Grandma’s meatballs.” Gloria was all about etiquette and made everything she did look elegant and beautiful.

Gloria cherished her family and looked forward to visits, phone calls, and cards in the mail. She took great pride in her sons and grandchildren, often expressing how deeply blessed she felt to have them in her life. She will be deeply missed.

Gloria is preceded in death by her husband William; sisters Lila Blakely and Margaret Schuller; sons James and John; and granddaughter Sharlene. She leaves behind her sons Alan and Bryan; eight grandchildren: Dennis (Kirstin); Justin (Lily); Timothy; Aaron (Melissa); Bradley (Jessica); Allison (Richard); Trevor; and Kimberly (Nathan); and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Gloria will be laid to rest beside her husband at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon on January 3, 2025.