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| "I'm hoping that everyone who is in this same situation is going to make it." |
| -Gloria Jean |
Gloria Meisner was born Gloria Jean Zimny May 27, 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was raised by her Grandmother who spoke only Polish. Gloria remembers grocery shopping with her grandmother and having to translate deli orders into English for the butcher. And although traumatized by the death of her grandmother at an early age, her childhood friends say Gloria always had that shining smile and the laugh you can hear from two rooms away.
School wasn't easy for Gloria, and her home life was far from ideal, but she had wonderful friends that she carried with her into adulthood. During her senior year of high school, she worked at a coffee shop and met her future who husband worked at a music store. After she graduated high school, they married, and a year later, Gloria gave birth to her first son, Mark. Her daughter, Julie, and son, Craig, soon followed. Gloria decided her kids needed good schools and fresh air, so the family left the city for suburban living.
As a devoted homemaker, Gloria worked overtime to provide the kind of opportunities for her children she never had. Mark was involved in competitive swimming from an early age, while Julie and Craig studied music and competed in gymnastics. If there was an event involving her children, Gloria was always in attendance, cheering them on. Even the strained relationship with her daughter and her own crumbling marriage couldn't keep her away from a recital or school play. Gloria's children and six grandchildren were always the most important thing in her life. They were her pride and joy.
Getting the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease in her early 50's was devastating for Gloria as well as for her family. Over the years, her children have learned to rely on faith and in each other to help them through the toughest of times. Gloria's strength and courage to share her family's story of survival has inspired and helped many people who are plagued by this ruthless disease. It was Gloria's greatest hope that speaking out and sharing her story of suffering would help in the fight for a cure.
Gloria passed away December 15, 2003 surrounded by the love of her children. Her strength, spirit and smile will not be forgotten.
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