Gloria Woods

Gloria Ann Woods demonstrated the compassion and caring that comes from enduring hardship without losing hope. She chose to face life’s challenges with determination and courage, channeling her experiences to grow a greater love for her family. Her sense of humor and eagerness to help others put people at ease and made her a welcome friend and neighbor.

During the year following World War II, the globe was looking for ways to rebuild nations as well as hope. Bartlette Elmer and Helen Millie (Marnick) Appleby of Grand Rapids, Michigan, had their own hopes and dreams, one of which was fulfilled on October 13, 1946, the day their precious daughter Gloria was born. Bartlette worked as a chef and Helen managed the home and also worked in manufacturing at Lacks Industries.

Growing up in Alpine Township, Michigan, Gloria considered herself privileged to fill the role of big sister to Shirley and Sue. Three musketeers from the very beginning, the girls maintained close relationships through the years. They hung out with the neighborhood kids swimming in the area pool and fishing at the pond. There was bike riding and sunshine for countless hours in the warmer months and delighted squeals of laughter as they sped down snow-covered hills in winter.

Gloria graduated from Bengalite High School, later known as Kenowa Hills High, with the class of 1962. She was no stranger to hard work, and got her first job at Kresge’s Department Store in downtown Grand Rapids. She followed in her mother’s footsteps by getting a job at Lacks Industries, and used some of the skills she learned from her father as a cook at the Kit-Kat Restaurant and the Red Hot Inn.

Gloria met a young man from the neighborhood named Kenneth Bayer. After being friends for a while, they began dating and two years later in 1965 they were married at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. They lived in various locations around Grand Rapids and had three children. Dawn, Kenneth, and Tina brought indescribable joy to Gloria’s life and there was nothing more important to her than their safety and happiness. Summertime was the best at the Bayer home. They fit in as much camping, fishing, and swimming as they could and made wonderful memories during their trips to the beach and the zoo punctuated by lots of satisfyingly drippy ice cream stops.

Several years later, Gloria and Kenneth divorced. Gloria worked all the time to provide what her children needed. She found a job at Kramp Plating and took as many hours as she could. Despite the struggle to make ends meet, she took great care to teach her children the importance of family. She always made time for them and established a loving, dependable home.

Gloria met a drummer from a local band named Steve Woods. After dating for a couple of years, they exchanged vows at a local church in August of 1979. They were thrilled to welcome their daughter Kelly into the world the following year. The family lived on Leonard NW for a time, but later moved to Steve’s old stomping grounds in Tennessee and being near Steve’s family was a good experience. Sadly, Steve’s health began to fail as he suffered from pulmonary disease. Steve died on April 1, 1986.

Gloria decided to return to Grand Rapids, first living on Fox Street but later moving to Innes Street NE where she remained for the next twenty years. She became “mom” to all the neighborhood kids and was someone they looked up to and sought out for advice. Her cooking skills came in handy for her once again as she took up work at Creston Lanes Bowling Alley. Her kids were her biggest dinner fans. Family favorites included fried chicken, fried cauliflower, golumbki (polish cabbage rolls), cookies, and plenty of rock candy.

When she was blessed with grandchildren, her heart grew that much bigger to hold all the love she had for them. Her face would light up when they came over and she always found time to make each one feel special. She remembered every birthday, babysat regularly and joyfully, and took care of Steven, Erik, Kyle, and Michael as her own.

Gloria was a fan of country music artists like Alabama and couldn’t get enough of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne on the big screen. She indulged in soap operas when she was younger, but when she had time to watch TV it was usually to tune into The Price is Right. She loved to play bingo and solitaire, and looked forward to visiting area casinos with her sisters. Shirley and Sue became more precious to her as the years went by and they made it a point to regularly travel together and speak on the phone.

Around 2005, Gloria was diagnosed with COPD and suffered from severe breathing problems that progressively worsened. In 2008, she was put on oxygen and in May of 2011 she was hospitalized and eventually admitted to Howell Nursing Care. On Tuesday, August 9 of the same year, she had a heart attack and was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. She died the next day at 2:08 a.m. with her children by her side.

Gloria will be missed, but her dedication to her family will continue to encourage and strengthen those who knew her. She leaves them with fond memories and the assurance that she loved them with everything she had.

Gloria died on Wednesday, August 10, 2011. Her husband, Steve Woods, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Dawn (Russ) Hawley, Kenneth (Danielle) Bayer, Jr., Tina (Gary Sr.) Vokoviak, and Kelly (John) Woods; fourteen grandchildren; five great grandchildren; her sisters, Shirley (Allen) Pifer and Susan (Wayne) Willis; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A special thank you to Cathy Kuennen for all the love and help she gave through the years.

A service to celebrate Gloria’s life will be held on Monday, August 15, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Sunday, August 14, 2011, from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. Contributions to the American Diabetes Association are appreciated. Please visit Gloria’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guest book.