Gloria Sumner

Tribute

Written by Richard A. Sumner. Beloved husband to Gloria May Sumner. May 12, 1935 – December 13, 2025. In the year 1954, I was looking to get out of high school in Phoenix, Arizona, attending my four years in the respectable North Phoenix High and starting my journey out into the world. However, in my senior year, while in my American history class, my world would change drastically. As the class started up, and the seats began filling, there came into the room the prettiest girl I had ever seen—and I thought I knew them all. As the class ended, I made sure I would bump into her on the way out the door. In my arrogant method of masculine acumen, I bumped into her, cleverly placing my hand at her waist. “Watch it,” she responded. “Keep your hands where they belong.” Then I knew I had to date this classy young woman. But all my buddies advised me that it was a waste of time. “She only dates older guys,” they said. But she accepted my first try, and from that day until 72 years later, she was my one and only love. In those 72 years, she and I made a life of adventure and happiness. She gave me the joy and love that only rarely comes to one in this world of chaos and conflict. Our early years together were quite an adventure—just the two of us, traveling and trying out life as in a live-action movie. Gloria was a modest but attractive woman. She wore little or no makeup. She didn’t smoke, drink, or thrive on soap operas. She was not a clothes hog. In fact, I was the one who shopped for her. She would always look good in anything she wore. It was easy to fit her. She took good care of herself. She was easy to talk to. People loved working with her. Her working career was special. She was the financial officer for the original Planned Parenthood Corp, the executive assistant to the first lady CEO of American Greeting Cards Corp, and the legal secretary to the Boeing Aerospace Corp Saturn V Division, a Bechtel engineering assistant, and many more high-level positions. At age 40, she began the job of becoming a mother. She gave me four fantastic children—one of whom she gave to the Universe. The others, one boy and two girls, were raised with the traits of her personality. She gave them heart, class, integrity, and quiet discipline, in which thrived a cinematographer / Eagle Scout, an esthetician/beauty school manager & teacher, and an AI filmmaker/actor/singer/dancer & physician, along with so many skilled and talented grandkids and two great-grandchildren. The life of this petite but profound woman was awash in the pride and accomplishments she had wrought in her full life. This was Gloria May Sumner. Weighing a mere 78 pounds at 90 years old, she cast a long shadow that covered London, Scotland, and the country of Iran— And then answered the call of the Great Mother Spirit to come home.

Friends & Family

Richard A Sumner - Husband of 72 years, Brent A. Sumner - Son, Tamara Sumner Petersen - Daughter, Karla Porter - Daughter