Gloria L. Tyler

Gloria Lorraine Tyler, age 82, a longtime resident of California, recently of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully in her sleep, on Monday, December 30, 2024, at her home. She was born January 2, 1942, in Rochester, New York to George and Viola (Fleming) Hess. During her early childhood Gloria's family decided to move from New York, making California their new home. Growing up in California was an enjoyable experience for Gloria. There she grew into adulthood becoming a wife and mother surrounded by her family. 

She enjoyed shopping (her favorites were Piecemakers, the Goodwill or any dollar store), gardening, flower arranging and had an artistic side, though she wouldn’t say so, with painting and crafts. Gloria loved celebrating every holiday with festive foods, specially selected clothing and just the right gifts for those she loved. Her family and friends were always so impressed with the extra thoughtfulness she put into the purchasing of gifts and treasures she bestowed upon them. It made them feel that she intently listened to their many conversations, keeping their comments in mind all year long. Halloween was one of her favorite holidays, dressing up in costume or theme and handing out candy to the delighted ghosts and goblins in downtown Seal Beach, and later at Alexis Gardens in Ohio. She also became an avid collector of many knickknacks and treasures over the years, a favorite being her menagerie of dolls. Her house, and later her apartment in Ohio, showed her personality everywhere.

Gloria loved music and would often break out in song. A habit that has passed on to Jamie and Jeff. Her favorite artists included Tom Jones (her favorite, she listened to him every day), Englebert Humperdink, and Barbra Streisand, to name a few. She loved to sing. She and Walt would talk four times a day, once she moved to Ohio. Some of those calls included singing together. Her family and friends will miss the birthday calls where she’d sing Happy Birthday. Gloria also enjoyed attending theater productions with her big sister and her nieces. 

Gloria was a loving wife and mom, always trying to stay at least one step ahead of her children. She loved meeting Jeff for lunch in downtown Seal Beach, CA when he still lived nearby. She felt blessed when she was able to marry the love of her life, Walter Tyler, Jr. in November of 1976. After that, Gloria and Walter knew they were soul mates and made a wonderful life together in California enjoying the sights, the sounds, and the beautiful shorelines, boating and camping up and down the California coastline. She especially loved going to Catalina Island with Walt. They had many adventures together on the Pacific Ocean in their boat. 

When Gloria moved to Ohio just recently, she left a wealth of lifelong friends in California, one of which was Darlene Simpson. A friendship she always cherished. She was also a member of her local Red Hats Society group. One of her most enjoyable groups and something she was very proud of was that she was a Caring Clown. She and her group of caring clowns would go to nursing homes around town and sing happy birthday to the residents, pass out cake and hugs and kisses. She brought smiles and good cheer to those in need of a ray of sunshine in their day. Gloria embraced her inner-clown persona, "Globug" with pride.

Cats were also a big part of Gloria's life, having and caring for many throughout her life. She often volunteered at a few Cat Shelters, loving on each kitty there. 

After moving to Toledo to be closer to her daughter, Jamie, Gloria adapted to her new home and the change of seasons well. Fall was her favorite season. She would collect the vibrant orange, red and yellow leaves and sprinkle them on the floor of her apartment to bring the outdoors in. She loved looking out her bedroom window from her rocking chair, watching the squirrels play and an occasional deer pass by as she talked with her beloved Walt, in the mornings. She looked forward to time spent with Jamie and Carole and all the exposure to her new surroundings. She loved how many trees there were everywhere and felt like she was in a rural setting. Sunday afternoons were often reserved for outings to enjoy her favorite sweet treats like ice-cream or a delicious Wendy’s frosty.

 In addition to her parents, Gloria was also preceded in death by her brother, George Hess, Jr.; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Hess, brother-in-law, Jerry Leiran and beloved niece Nancy Osborne. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Walter Tyler, Jr. of California; children, Jamie (Carole) Westfall of Toledo and Jeff (Joyce) LaMaster of Oregon; sister, Delores Leiran of Long Beach, California; stepchildren, Linda (Curry) Jameson, Loretta and David Tyler, grandchildren Amanda Joyce and AJ LaMaster; nieces, Pam McNaulty, Becky Lambert, Miriam Rasmussen, nephews John and Matt Hess; 5 great-grandchildren. She also had a special place in her heart for Tina Cavender, a childhood friend of Jamie’s, who Gloria loved like her own child.

In support of Gloria's love for animals and ensuring their care, those wishing to make a memorial contribution, are asked to consider a donation or volunteering your time at an animal rescue or shelter organization in your area, in her memory. 

To share a memory or leave a special message for Gloria's family, please visit the guestbook.