Gloria M. Blair's Obituary
Gloria Mary (Lee) Blair, the only child of Ewin and Janetta (Holt) Lee, was born on May 25, 1927 in Tacoma, WA. She was welcomed into the arms of her Savior on New Years Day, 2021.
Gloria was raised in the Lake City/American Lake area of Washington State and graduated from Clover Park High School, class of 1945. She attended Washington State College (University) where she met the love of her life, LD Blair. They were married in 1947 and made their home in Sunnyside, WA until 1950 when LD, a veteran, was called back into the military. At that time Gloria became a Navy wife, spending the next 17 years following the “ship” from port to port on both coasts. She was a true homemaker, making a home for her family wherever they found themselves.
As an only child, Gloria finally got her wish for siblings when LD’s five sisters welcomed her into their family. These sisters and their families along with her parents and home church provided loving support and an anchor no matter where the family travelled until LD’s Navy retirement led them back to Lakewood in 1966. LD went to work for the Washington State Department of Licensing working in Puyallup until he was given his own office to run in Morton, WA in 1973. While LD served on the Morton Town Council, Gloria became involved volunteering in the elementary school, working with the Women of Morton, serving with the Morton Church of God and helping with the annual Logger’s Jubilee. Gloria lost her beloved LD in 1999 and eventually moved back to Lakewood to be near her children.
Gloria had several quotes that described her domestic viewpoint. “My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy.” “The only reason I have a kitchen is because it came with the house.” “Why is there always so much of the month left at the end of the money?” Her favorite place to be was always in her yard or in the garage with a table saw, a drill and a sander. Her eyes would light up with each new project. She rarely saw what was; instead she saw what could be! While her positive attitude was great it kept their house in a constant state of remodel.
Gloria loved the Lord. She was raised attending Lake City Community Church, a fellowship started by her grandfather, Joseph Holt. She accepted Christ as her savior at an early age and her faith was a constant throughout her life. While not really a scholar, she lived out her faith in deeds more than words and taught her children the same. It was important to both LD and Gloria to find a Bible-believing church wherever they travelled and they developed relationships with believers from California to Maryland, from Illinois to Montana. Gloria is now renewing those relationships as well as seeing her beloved LD and her parents.
Gloria’s mind and memory succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer’s last year and while her death certificate will undoubtedly say she died from COVID complications, we know that she had lived her life to the fullest and God simply called her home. We will miss her sense of humor, the twinkle in her eye, and so much more. We love you mom.
Gloria is survived by her four children: Diana (Dennis) Kirby, Janetta (Earl) Norby, and Michael Blair, all of Lakewood and Marcus (Susan) Blair of Prairie Village, KS; Grandchildren: Jessica (Allen) Dion, Caleb (Beth) Ware, Jennifer (Aaron) Nelson, Kelly Blair Kariker, Ryan (Naomi) Blair, Aaron Blair, Travis Kirby, Kelly Kirby, Derrick Steilman, Kristina (Mike) Spurgeon; 20 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Carol (Ted) Lukkes, numerous nieces and nephews and her life long friend and sister in Christ, Barbara Peach.
A celebration of life is planned on or around Gloria’s birthday 5/25/21.
In honor of her builder’s heart the family asks that donations be made to the Transform Building Fund at Lake City Community Church, 8810 Lawndale Ave, Lakewood WA 98498 (lc3.com).
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