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- Gloria Marie Violette was born January 20, 1930 to Carl and Marie Johnson in Polson Montana. The family lived on a small farm a 3 mile walk from the town. She attended Sunny Slope elementary, a one room school with eight grades. She was promoted from the first to third grade based on her reading and spelling skills. At Polson High School she played trombone in the orchestra and marching band and was elected prom queen. Gloria studied Home Economics and Graphic Art at the University of Montana in 1948. She later transferred to Montana State College to pursue an Art Degree. She obtained a teaching certificate from the Montana School of Education in 1950. Her first teaching assignment was at a one room school house teaching 13 students in eight grades in Spring Hill, MT Gloria married Edmond Violette, also a Polson High graduate, in 1950. The first child, Daniel, was born in July 1951 and Lynee was born in April 1953. The family had a three-year stay at Wright Paterson Air Force Base in Dayton, where Ed served as an officer and Gloria kept busy raising the kids and substitute teaching. A visit to Boulder, CO in 1956 made them realize that it was the perfect place to settle down. Ed found work with the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) as a project engineer. Gloria’s family grew with the addition of Susan in 1958 and Edmond Jr (Joey) in 1964. Gloria attended CU and received her Education Degree in 1964 with a minor in geology. She worked as a substitute teacher throughout the Boulder-Denver area, taught special education in the Boulder Valley School District, and tutored reading challenged students. Gloria loved western music and entertained with a piano, guitar, or banjo. She accompanied her husband to his work sites among Pacific Rim countries such as Guam, Fiji, Saipan Micronesia, as well as on trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America. The scenery provided Gloria with inspiration for her painting. Gloria’s travels also included a trip to her mother’s homeland in Russia in 1980 to visit relatives. Life was forever altered in August 1980 when her 16-year old son, Joey, was lost, in an auto accident. It was a difficult time for her, but she worked her way back with pursuits including painting for pleasure and show, and serving as President of the Boulder Art Association in 1984. She provided encouragement to her children and grandchildren helping them become accomplished in their careers. Through the years she continued her love for all animals and cared for horses as riding companions on the Montana farm. She led an active life as a skier, hiker, tennis player and she played a mean game of ping pong well into her 80’s. She climbed Longs Peak and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in her 50s. She continued to volunteer with groups like the Therapeutic Horse Riding Program and Homeless and Battered Women’s Shelters. She was active in the Foster Parent Plan program and supported organizations providing educational opportunities in developing countries. She is remembered in life by her husband Edmond, her children Dan, Lynee, and Susan, her grandchildren Jeremy McMillan, Andrew McMillan, Krista McMillan, and Jeffery McMillan, great grandchildren Reggie McMillan and Thomas Richardson; and her siblings Chester Johnson, Lillian Stephenson, Helen McClellan and Gene Johnson, along with many close relatives in Montana. Best of all Gloria has always been known for her quick and pretty smile. Many thanks to Balfour Cherrywood and AGAPE Hospice for making it possible for her to keep that smile. A Memorial service will be held 10:30 A.M. Saturday February 11, 2017 at Crist Mortuary 3395 Penrose Pl., Boulder, CO. Arrangements under the direction of Crist Mortuary, Boulder, CO.
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1930 - 2017 (87 years)
