Gloria Joswick

Gloria Joswick loved to be surrounded by her family, and loved spending her time being a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life extraordinary joy.

1925 found the country right in the middle of the Roaring 20s. For those living in big cities, it was a time of flappers and speakeasies, while those living in small towns focused on hard work and raising families. Ray and Sophia (Jansheski) Hoffer lived on the west side of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Ray owned and operated a drugstore. Already the proud parents of daughter Patricia Marie, on September 1, 1925, they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Gloria Marcia, who completed the Hoffer family.

Ray and Sophia provided a loving, stable home for their girls at 654 Fourth Street, right next door to the drugstore. Growing up, Gloria was an outgoing and fun-loving girl, but also got into her share of mischief, particularly in her teens. In fact, when Gloria started Catholic Central High School, she arrived at school wearing a skirt she shortened that was not allowed under the dress code. She was quickly reprimanded and warned to follow the rules thereon out. This incident almost cost Gloria her diploma, but she did graduate on time. Following graduation, Gloria took a job as a secretary for Guardsman Chemical.

Gloria grew up in the same neighborhood as her future husband, Walter Joswick, and they also had the same birth date, just a year off. Gloria wasn't really interested in Walter at first, though his intentions were quite the opposite and he let her know by serenading her with his accordion. It wasn't until later when Walter came home from serving in the war and Gloria saw him in his uniform that love began to blossom between the two. They were happily married on October 11, 1947 at St. Mary's Church and had a romantic honeymoon in New York. The newlyweds lived with Gloria's parents for a few years, but when they learned they were going to be parents, they knew it was time to get their own home. So in 1951, they moved into a house on Dorroll Street NE just after welcoming the birth of their son, David. A few years later, they delighted in the birth of their daughter, Diane, who completed their family. In 1963, the family moved to a home on Ipswich NW, where they made many special memories together for the next 40 years.

Gloria stayed home when the children came, wanting to dedicate her time to raising them well. She exemplified everything a mother should be; she was patient, caring and generous with her time. She always kept a clean, well-organized home and took care of the family finances. Walter was a cook in the military so he did most of the cooking for the family and get togethers, while Gloria made sure there were always plenty of snacks for everyone. They didn't travel much when the kids were young, but on the occasion they did, evenings were spent camping. However camping was done not for the experience but in order to save money; so Gloria and Diane would sleep in the car while the boys slept out in the tent. For Gloria, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life. She was absolutely thrilled to be the grandmother to her four grandsons, all of whom she adored.

Gloria and Walter had a wonderful marriage and shared many of the same interests. One of their favorite hobbies was fishing. They traveled around the state to small towns to fly fish in rivers, and afterwards find a local "hole in the wall" for a meal and conversation. Later on, when the kids were older, they began fishing off the Grand Haven pier, which they enjoyed a lot, but for some reason, they stopped fishing all together once the kids were teens. Something else the couple shared was a great sense of humor. Although Gloria was more outgoing than Walter, together they were quite entertaining and fun to be with. They enjoyed playing cards with friends, but Gloria also liked getting out perhaps for dinner or visiting at the Knights of Columbus hall. A real night owl, she could usually be found watching Johnny Carson on late night TV, and as a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers, she rarely missed a game. Whenever Gloria and Walter visited family in Detroit, they would try to catch a game there.

Gloria suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for many years and as she became less and less able to get things done, Walter stepped in and tenderly cared for her. After her appendix ruptured unexpectedly, he definitely became more protective of her and kept a watchful eye on her. Sadly, Gloria lost her beloved Walter in April of 2003, after 56 years of marriage. This was a terrible heartache and loss for her, especially since he had been taking care of her for so long. She soon moved into Villa Maria where she could receive the care she needed, yet still maintain some of her independence. Gloria always had a young spirit and never lost her spunk even in her later years. If you asked her how she was, she wittingly replied, "still kickin, just not as high as I used to." She had a smile and warm hello for everyone she came in contact with. Her room often became the late night gathering place, where staff members could come and relax after a long shift.

What gave Gloria the greatest joy was sharing herself with her family, offering them the most precious thing she possessed - her time. It is a gift none of her family will ever forget.

Gloria Joswick, age 81 of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away October 13, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, and her sister, Patricia Weslaitis. Gloria is survived by her children: David (Linda) Joswick and Diane Joswick; grandchildren: Steven (Taryn) Joswick, Jason (Jessica) Joswick, Scott (Lucy) Joswick and Kevin Joswick and his fiancé' Tiffany; her 2 great grandchildren: Halie Jo and Ira; an aunt and several nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 16, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1200 Alpine Church Road NW. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes- Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, on Sunday, October 15, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo of Gloria or sign the online guestbook.