Gloria Lozano Flores

GLORIA ADELINE LOZANO FLORES was born to Gliceria Bayaua Lumicao and Blas Aniceto Doctolero Lozano I on November 6, 1926 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. She was the fifth of fifteen (15) brothers and sisters. Gloria passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 8:35 am in her daughter’s home where she was surrounded by her loving family. She battled Dementia for 12 years. She was 92 years old.

Gloria was a very intelligent woman with great love and passion for music. She was a woman of faith, a devout Catholic who went to mass daily and who always put family first. She was known for her elegance, a well-dressed, stylish and fashionista and was also known for her hats. She had a big personality and was graceful, humble and patient. She was also full of life, made friends easily and became well known in the Scripps Ranch neighborhood and church community. She had a big heart of gold, always sacrificed her needs for the need of her family, to which her daughter is always reminded of her favorite quote, “their needs are greater than mine”. Gloria was an excellent cook and loved to garden. Her hobbies also included reading, current events, politics, working on crossword puzzles and scrapbook. She was a Super Mom and Super Grandma who handled everything and conquered every obstacle. She was definitely an inspiration to her family and while they were her source of her strength and courage during her last moments, she was their rock and hero.

Gloria was a widow for almost 25 years to the late Ricardo Martell Flores. They were married in 1953 and established their family in Quezon City, Philippines. They were blessed with two children namely, Ricardo “Bobby” Flores, Jr. and Clare Ann Lozano Flores.

Gloria, was an educator by profession. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education at Philippine Normal College in Manila, Philippines. This jump started her career as an elementary school teacher in the City of Manila, Public School system. She was assigned to teach at Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School in Tondo, Manila. At Isabelo, she thrived and developed her teaching skills, and excelled as a teacher. She was loved by her students, parents and administrators. Gloria furthered her education and this time her emphasis was in Music, in particular, choral conducting. This led her to the pinnacle of her professional career as a Music Director. She became one of the top notch Choir Directors/Conductors in the City Schools of Manila. She formed one of the finest Children’s Choir who competed amongst the top-notch Children’s Choirs and took first place in several of the competitions. She became one of the elite Directors/Conductors in the Philippines. She and her choir have been invited by the former President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady, Imelda, to perform on several occasions to sing at the Cultural Center of Philippines, not to mention, the Malacanang Palace to entertain foreign dignitaries. This was her defining moment and she became a well-recognized Music Director. She taught for over 30 years, decided to retire and came to the United States in 1984 to join her daughter and her siblings.

In California, she lived in Daly City with her siblings and continued her passion of music by becoming the Music Director at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in South San Francisco wherein she formed two choir groups comprised of the St. Augustine Children’s Choir and St. Augustine Chorale (adult choir). With these two choirs, she was able to help fundraise for the church and contribute to the music ministry.

In 1987, Gloria moved to San Diego with her daughter, Clare and son-in-law, Dante Chavez where they established residence and helped raise and take care of her grandchildren Clarisse, Chelsey and Lizzie.

Gloria was officially diagnosed with Dementia in 2009. Scared and feared of what was yet to come, her daughter Clare and her family walked along her side. Over the years, they truly embraced, loved, and cared for her well-being. Two years ago, Clare was blessed to have found a caregiver in Marivic Amigo, who cared with gentleness and love for Gloria until the day she passed. The family watched Gloria brave life while her memory faded slowly. It was a very long and difficult journey to say the least, however, that journey together is now over. “The last few days of my Mom’s life were the most perturbing and agonizing days of my life as God took over”, Clare said. “And as heartbreaking as it is to watch my mother slip away before my eyes I was not going to stand in the way of God’s plans for her. And so, with all my strength in prayers, I cried to God and lifted my Mom up to the Lord.” she added.

Gloria is survived by her son, Bobby Flores; her daughter, Clare Chavez and son-in-law, Dante Chavez; grandchildren, Cheryll Ann Flores Treier and husband Sandro Treier; Timothy James Flores; Nicole Mara Flores; Clarisse Danielle Chavez; Chelsey Denisse Chavez Danford and husband Robert James Cera Danford; and Elizabeth Marie Chavez; Great Grandchildren, Chamonix Ann Orvay; Alessandro Treier; Alessia Treier; and Scarlett Clare Danford.

She will always be remembered for her elegance, strength, courage, altruistic, kind, gentle, loving and caring qualities.

Mom, thank you for the life you have given us and for the love we shared. You've done such a great job raising not only your children but also your grandchildren. You were behind our successes in life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Now you can rest in peace with the Lord knowing that your job as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend is finished. Job well done, Mom. We love you with all our hearts.