Died Jan 14, 2015 in San Antonio, TX of natural causes while on hospice in her daughter Rachel's home.
Born Oct 13, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI to Verona (née Reinhold) & Harold Stetson Gavett. A lifelong Lutheran, she was baptized, confirmed and married at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.
Gloria married Richard Valentine (Val) Goeres Aug 19, 1951. Wherever Val was called, Gloria was his partner in creating their home. Upon Val's graduation from Concordia Lutheran Seminary St. Louis Mo in 1953, he received an Air Force Chaplaincy assignment. 30 years of military chaplain service (Air Force & Army) began at Bowling Air Force Base Wash D.C. and ended at Ft Jackson SC with Val's retirement in 1983. Some years as a reservist included a pastorate in Milwaukee 1957-1964 and missionary to Japan 1964-1968.
Val died suddenly in 2000. Gloria's strong love and faith held the family together.
A year after Val's death, friends describe her acting like a high school girl as Gloria and Bill Bouchard enjoyed a sweet and tender courtship. Gloria and Bill married April 13, 2002.
Through all the moves, overseas travel, raising 5 children, being widowed and remarried, Gloria was a strong and steady presence and the quintessential example of a Christian woman. She wrote her children's names on all their clothes and possessions but wrote Christ's name on their hearts. Her loving spirit was so genuine it permeated every encounter she had with people even in her final days when things were a bit fuzzy.
Gloria was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), PEO of Columbia, Retired Chaplains and Spouses, and the aquarobics/chair yoga group at the Jewish Community Center (JCC).
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Thomas Gavett, and first husband Richard Valentine Goeres.
She is survived by:
Husband William Henry Bouchard of Columbia
Her 5 children:
Rachel Goeres (Lydia Powell) of San Antonio
Richard Goeres (Neva) of Norfolk VA
Ruth Picolo of Irvine CA
David Goeres (Joann) of Salt Lake City UT
Daniel Goeres (Jean) of Salmtal Germany
8 Grandchildren:
Gloria Goeres (Clay Arthur) of Edinburg VA
Richard Goeres (Lindsey) of Winston-Salem NC
David Goeres (Stephanie) of St. Louis MO
Ryan Sachetta of Chicago IL
Jonathan Goeres (Karlee) of Ft Walton Beach FL
Courtney Goeres of Houston TX
Kylie & Nicole Goeres of Salmtal Germany
Great Grandson Joel Goeres of St Louis
Stepdaughter Meg Mollohan (Don) of Columbia SC
Nephews:
Geoffrey Gavett (Fariba Farid)
Stephen Gavett (Deirdre Murphy)
Christopher Gavett (Timothy Garrett)
Grand niece & nephew Annie & Will Gavett
Step grand and great grandchildren:
Mykil, Justen, Jody, Kami, Matthew, Jonathan, Kevin, Hannah, Savannah, Vaughn, Raegan, Rylan and MJ
The wonderful friends of Reflections, her church, DAR, PEO, JCC, Chaplains and Spouses, The Mermaids, and countless others.
Funeral service without burial will be Saturday Jan 31, 2015 at 1pm:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
2200 Lee Street, Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 799-7224
Reception to follow at Reflections Club House 3-5pm:
2 Stoney Creek Road
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 776-5795
Use Ulmer Road entrance to Reflections Subdivision.
Please sign online guest registry.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to one of Gloria's designated charities listed here:
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Mission
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
General Fund of Concordia Seminary
801 DeMun Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63105
LCMS World Relief
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
Ministry of the Armed Forces
Board for Mission Services
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
General Fund of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia
PO Box 5692
Columbia, SC 29250
PEO - Chapter U
Continuing Education Program
Attn: Cindy Mins, Treasurer
22 Beaver Dam Court
Columbia, SC 29223
"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." 2Timothy4:7
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