Gloria Price

When reflecting on the life of Gloria Price, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. Nothing brought Gloria greater joy than spending time with her loved ones, no matter how simple the moments. Her faith formed the unshakeable foundation of her life, and she faced challenges head-on with a spirit of fierce determination. Forever loved, Gloria will be dearly missed by those who knew her best.

The 1930s are remembered as a decade of great struggle for the United States as the Great Depression was in full swing. Families pulled together to make ends meet, and they were dark years for many. In the midst of hardship, however, there was a ray of light for Frank and Stephanie (Augustyn) Marshall of Chicago, Illinois, as they awaited the arrival of their baby with breathless anticipation. On June 4, 1934, their wait was over, and they welcomed their daughter, Gloria, into the world.

Growing up, Gloria was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home in Chicago alongside her brother, Mark. Throughout her childhood, Gloria attended an all-girl Catholic school. It was there that she built the strong foundation of her faith, which would go on to serve her well in the years to come. The nuns at the school were so strict that the girls were forbidden from having a high school graduation ceremony. Following high school, Gloria began working at NBC Studios, ready to move on to bigger and better things.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Gloria as she went on to attend Drake University in Iowa, studying fine arts. There, she met a young man named Paul Price, who was two years ahead of her. There was an instant spark between Gloria and Paul. Their relationship quickly flourished into something truly special, and it didn’t take the two long to realize that they were made for each other. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Gloria and Paul were married soon after Paul’s graduation. They then moved to Michigan and settled in the Kalamazoo area to begin their future together.

All who knew Gloria can surely agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. Over the years, she and Paul were overjoyed to welcome their four children, Jeff, Linda, Steven, and Marcia, into their hearts and home. Gloria thrived in her role as a mother and devoted herself to caring for her children and her home. She instilled in her children strong values and the importance of hard work. Gloria was very involved in their lives and though she could be strict with her children, she was undoubtedly their biggest supporter. She was so proud to watch them each graduate and go on to build their own lives. Later in life, Gloria was thrilled to become a grandmother to Winston, Gabrielle, Leah, and Jackson. She adored her grandchildren and doted on them whenever she could. Gloria always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

From a young age, Gloria was known for her strong faith. She was a lifelong Catholic, and she was a dedicated local parishioner. Gloria shared her faith with her children and many others. She was guided and encouraged by favorite scriptures such as Psalm 23 and Isaiah 53:6. When she lost her husband, Paul, in 2005, Gloria leaned on her faith and her loved ones for support. She was a dedicated member of her community as well, as she volunteered her time to help the blind learn to read Braille.

Over the years, Gloria enjoyed traveling to visit family. She took a trip to Germany to see her daughter, Marcia, and her husband, Mike, while they were stationed there. Gloria was able to visit several small towns, including Salzburg, Austria. Marcia wanted to take Gloria there to see the beautiful landscapes. However, thanks to the thick fog, the postcards they purchased at the local shops provided a better view! More recently, Gloria attended her granddaughter's wedding in Virginia, a trip that brought her so much joy in her later years.

Never one to sit still for long, Gloria pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She was an avid antique collector and started her doll collection as a little girl. Gloria and Paul would often visit local shops searching for antiques, and they enjoyed the surprise of coming across an unexpected treasure. She gathered a unique collection of all of the stones of Heaven, which she then gifted to her daughter, Marcia. Gloria had a passion for oil painting, bringing life to landscapes and objects on her canvas. She would even paint her own greeting cards which she lovingly shared with friends and family. She displayed her work at Bronson Park during the art fair in the 1970s, and she loved to share the joy she found in her art. Gloria was very handy as well. At their home, she and her son, Steven, worked together to design and build an addition onto the house.

As family and friends can certainly attest, Gloria Price truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and she always had an encouraging word to say. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Gloria was a friend to many and beloved by all. She was well known for her faith and her sense of humor, and her insatiable zest for life could be felt by all those around her. Though she will be deeply missed, Gloria leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Gloria Price of Portage, age 89, died on February 2, 2024. Gloria was born June 4, 1934 in Chicago to Frank and Stephanie (Augustyn) Marshall. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her son, Jeff; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Surviving are her children: Linda (Winston II) Price-Guillory, Steven Price, and Marcia (Mike) Boehman; grandchildren: Winston III, Gabrielle, Leah, Jackson; and brother, F. Mark Marshall. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, February 7th at 11 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Parish with visitation 30 minutes prior. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visit Gloria’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities or the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900.