Gloria Veronica Hopewell

Gloria passed away on her 53rd wedding anniversary and 10 days before her 90th birthday, six months after her diagnosis for ovarian cancer. She enjoyed a long and active life. She was born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica and in 1951 left for England to train as a nurse and midwife. She trained and worked at the Selly Oak Accident Hospital and in Leicester and Nottingham, and while in England gave birth to her first child, Michael. In 1968 she emigrated with Michael to Canada and settled in Hamilton, Ontario where she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital and shortly thereafter met John.

Gloria and John married at Toronto's Old City Hall in 1970. They had two daughters, Andrea born in Toronto, and Natalie, three years later in Hamilton. Gloria was compassionate about helping others and during her lengthy career as an Operating Room Nurse, Gloria worked at Toronto General, Royal Alexandra in Edmonton and from 1978, at the Victoria General Hospital. For many years Gloria was a dedicated volunteer at First Unitarian Church of Victoria, Our Place Society, and Government House. Following her retirement, she learned to play piano, joined the Flower Arrangers Guild, and enjoyed taking long walks. For the past 15 years she participated in daily water fit classes at Esquimalt Pool as well as yoga for many years. Gloria enjoyed numerous travel adventures including white-water rafting in India and ascending Mount Sinai on a camel to see the sunrise. Gloria was a warm and loving woman who made friends wherever she went. Many remember her as a wonderful cook preparing everything from West Indian dinners to Nanaimo Bars for fundraising events. Above all she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Gloria was predeceased by her parents, Staffel Holness and Vera Grant and sisters Joyce and Cynthia (Lola). Gloria will be greatly missed by her husband John, son Michael, daughters Andrea and Natalie, granddaughters Zoë and Robyn, sister Eva and her nieces and nephews.

Many thanks to Dr. Abdul Hameed, to the RJH Emergency Room staff who gave her special care during her final hours, and to her Oncologist Dr. Andrew Attwell and the wonderful staff at BC Cancer Agency.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Unitarian Church of Victoria, 5575 West Saanich Road and on Zoom at tinyurl.com/gloriahopewell at 1 pm Friday, January 5, 2024