Dear Ed and Family,
It is just miles and time that kept us apart, yet sadly so much so, that I just now have learned of Gloria's leap into the arms of our Lord. GOD BLESS YOU and your family!

Truly she must be still very near. I feel her strength and love always :)

I have always held Gloria near to my heart. She must be all around us :) in everyone that was touch by her and her multiple ministries.

Trying to

Dear Ed and Family,
It is just miles and time that kept us apart, yet sadly so much so, that I just now have learned of Gloria's leap into the arms of our Lord. GOD BLESS YOU and your family!

Truly she must be still very near. I feel her strength and love always :)

I have always held Gloria near to my heart. She must be all around us :) in everyone that was touch by her and her multiple ministries.

Trying to be brief here, as you may recall, Gloria was my Godmother of Liturgical Dance.

We had such a great love affair of the Lord together. Because of God, her and Lucien Deiss, I have danced for the Lord and taught Liturgical/Sacred Dance since 1977. Long story short, one Pentecost Sunday on a military base, a priest named Fr. Montedon, ( who was then profoundly inspired by a workshop that Gloria and Lucien gave in Cin. Ohio), sent out a search for a professional dancer that others knew loved the Lord. Low and behold, that was me. He shared what he had was inspired by and gleaned from Gloria and Lucien. He even played the guitar as I danced for his masses.

I, much like Gloria, had various opportunities laid out before me, both secular and religious; yet, the 'call' to dance for the Lord remains to this day very strong, after that one Sunday (GLORIA inspired).

Years later, while working on the "Called to Dance" documentary, a documentary about religious dance in America, resulting in the founding of the "Called to Dance Association", it was mostly Gloria that connected with me so very closely as my lead advisor, historian and dance scholar on this national and local project. She and Lucien literally took me under their wings. I will always be blessed because of their encouragement, love, laughter, conversations and the dance, on stage, back stage and in the workshop sessions. Humbled to be on stage as a soloist for Lucien's newly published organ music, I felt the love of the Lord, nurtured by them so profoundly. It was because of Gloria that I also was also introduced to remarkable people like John West, Mr. Foley, those that she worked with during the NPM Conventions and with Oregon Catholic Press. She traveled with me on this and gave me much comfort, guidance and peaceful strength. It was the give and take with her and Lucien that either had me laughing( think the "horse stomp step") or caught up in words that I will never forget. Words like, " No matter what they say or do, never forget who you do this for". THE LORD was foremost on all our conversations in our coming and going and always in the dance. This legacy that she gave so shining and joyful, gave us all courage and a sense of knowing that we each can give back to the Lord what He has given us, in big and small ways and always.

Gloria and I could always pick up the phone and be right there in each other's arms, as if there was never a moment passed between us. She and I knew and felt things that there were no words for, ... precisely why we are all called to dance :) She educated millions that she may have never met. Still, I am so very thankful and realize I am who I am because of the Love God gave her, spilled out over all.

Everyone that knew her will always be profoundly in love with Gloria, her joy, laughter, dance, love for her family and everything (sunsets etc..) that rejoices in the Lord.

What a gift she was to so very many, so very wise as a professional woman in every way and loving woman in deep thoughtful moments.. she was so very warm and loving. As her 'adopted' liturgical dance daughter, I can never thank you enough Ed for nurturing that love that she expressed so freely. God did not step lightly when he designed Gloria, the mountains must have moved. Like ripples on the water, her work inspired a priest that CALLED me to dance for the Lord. Now the Called to Dance Association and the Gift of Dance Company and students, all have a huge amount of thanksgiving for our Lord inspiring GLORIA in a way that greatly inspired many generations!

Gloria, you are always in the dance. You always were with God and forever will we love you for loving Him first. THANK YOU my dear sister and mother of liturgical dance. Tears of thankfulness will spring forth in joy, every time I recall the many great memories of you.

Love to you and your family always,

Kathy (Kathleen) Villalobos
Dir. of the Called to Dance Association and the Gift of Dance Company and School 619-471-6508
kathysacreddancer@gmail.com

I've just discovered that Gloria passed away last month.
Gloria was a great person that gave me so much fun as I visited her 16 years ago from France.
With my grand-uncle, Lucien Deiss, we spent some of the most fabulous days of my life next to her.
My thoughts go to Ed, Laura and all the members of her family...

Rémy DEISS (France)

Gloria was really something! As many have already said, she was a true pioneer. She was for liturgical dance what people like Joe Wise, Ray Repp and so many others were for liturgical music.

I have so many memories of her, I cannot begin to name them all.. all wonderful, all joyful, all wonderful.

She and Lucien wrote a most significant chapter in the story of the liturgical renewal since the Council... as I think of the upcoming 50th Anniversary of

Gloria was really something! As many have already said, she was a true pioneer. She was for liturgical dance what people like Joe Wise, Ray Repp and so many others were for liturgical music.

I have so many memories of her, I cannot begin to name them all.. all wonderful, all joyful, all wonderful.

She and Lucien wrote a most significant chapter in the story of the liturgical renewal since the Council... as I think of the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Vatican II.. they certainly come to mind as one of the foundational pillars of the work of renewal.

God bless her! God bless her dance! God bless the dancers that have followed...

David Haas

We learned today with great sadness of Gloria's death earlier this month. Our condolances to Ed, Laura and the rest of the extended family. We will always remember Gloria with fondness - memories of travel around the country and the wonderful trip to France. We considered Gloria and Lucien our mentors and friends and will always be grateful for what they taught us.

Gloria is finally at home with so many others she loves. We will miss her!

The first time I saw Gloria she was on a stage! She and her dear friend, Fr. Lucien Deiss, were giving a major address at the first NPM convention in Scranton, PA. As Fr. Deiss delivered his remarks, Gloria would read excerpts from various liturgical documents within the presentation. I was rather young at the time and learned so much from that experience. As the years passed, who would have ever known that Gloria and I would be competitors, and

The first time I saw Gloria she was on a stage! She and her dear friend, Fr. Lucien Deiss, were giving a major address at the first NPM convention in Scranton, PA. As Fr. Deiss delivered his remarks, Gloria would read excerpts from various liturgical documents within the presentation. I was rather young at the time and learned so much from that experience. As the years passed, who would have ever known that Gloria and I would be competitors, and meet often, working for different music publishers in exhibit halls across the country.

When Gloria was not with the dancers, she was with the exhibitors. And when the exhibit hall closed for the day, she and I were no longer competitors, but good friends along with many other publisher representatives who labored in the field of liturgy and music. I cannot begin to recall how many delicious dinners we exhibitors enjoyed, (Gloria and I shared a passion for leg of lamb!), and how many laughs we all shared telling stories of the days events in the booth and exchanging ideas and sales techniques. She was a few years older than many others at the table. So much so that she earned a nick-name that she dearly loved; “Mistress of Novices.”

When Gloria wasn’t dancing, she was selling. Retail was in her blood. Not everyone in the church world knew that she and Ed owned and operated a gift shop in a resort town. She loved deciding what items to sell in the store, “I have a knack for knowing what people like and are willing to buy,” she would say, “Little gift items that catch people’s eyes and imaginations”. But beyond her expertise for knowing what would move off the shelves, it was her infectious smile and sweet personality that would always win the day and the customer to boot!

Gloria enriched me. My work in the field of liturgy and music was enhanced because she was my friend. Her love of the art was inspirational.

"All the earth proclaim the Lord, sing your praise to God!"

Dear Ed and family,

I am so sorry to hear of Gloria's loss. Though I did not know her well, she led the way for so many of us younger dancers to bring our gifts to the church - through video, story, song, and many shared liturgical conferences. Thank you, dear Gloria! This path of liturgy and dance has become my passion and profession, and I have always felt that I am dancing in Gloria's footsteps. She was a pioneer,

Dear Ed and family,

I am so sorry to hear of Gloria's loss. Though I did not know her well, she led the way for so many of us younger dancers to bring our gifts to the church - through video, story, song, and many shared liturgical conferences. Thank you, dear Gloria! This path of liturgy and dance has become my passion and profession, and I have always felt that I am dancing in Gloria's footsteps. She was a pioneer, and now she has become our patron saint of the dance! Blessings to you as you honor this courageous and kind artist and woman of deep faith.

Betsey Beckman
The Dancing Word
www.thedancingword.com

Dear Ed, Laura, and Family,

From our first encounter in Cincinnati in the early ‘70’s, through our many NPM Convention workshops and Gloria’s Cincinnati based production of our video milestone, The Passion of Our Lord According to John, Gloria embraced us as an extension of her family. She always checked in on the developmental achievements of our two children, even through their college years; she encouraged and facilitated the work of the Valyermo Dancers whenever she could. She shared her joys,

Dear Ed, Laura, and Family,

From our first encounter in Cincinnati in the early ‘70’s, through our many NPM Convention workshops and Gloria’s Cincinnati based production of our video milestone, The Passion of Our Lord According to John, Gloria embraced us as an extension of her family. She always checked in on the developmental achievements of our two children, even through their college years; she encouraged and facilitated the work of the Valyermo Dancers whenever she could. She shared her joys, sorrows, and challenges with us either on the phone or on the road when we worked together. Throughout it all she modeled prayer in motion, professionalism in practice, a devotion to beauty and the arts, and a unique sense of humor that we loved to experience as often as we could. At NPM or Academy events, she regaled us with stories about the Ballet Russes; her early days with Fr. Deiss and the foibles of his Franglais. She would tell workshop attendees that, as a pioneer in Sacred and Liturgical Dance, she had parked her covered wagon just outside the local convention center.

There are so many memories; so much to love in a woman who remains much larger than life for those of us who really knew her. Our grief cannot equal yours, but the well of emotions and grief runs deep for us and our family. Wish we could be there to celebrate her life with you. We miss her greatly; we will remember and pray for all of you.

With love,

John West and Consuelo Zuniga-West; Dante and Flavia

Dear Ed and Family,
Gloria has meant so much to me! She was so much more than a friend. She inspired me and mentored me. We shared a love for Liturgical Dance. I know that without her, I would not be doing what I do today.We traveled together, laughed together and danced together. She will be forever the angel on my shoulder!

My condolences to you and your family. What a special woman! She planted so many seeds! As the "Mother" of

Dear Ed and Family,
Gloria has meant so much to me! She was so much more than a friend. She inspired me and mentored me. We shared a love for Liturgical Dance. I know that without her, I would not be doing what I do today.We traveled together, laughed together and danced together. She will be forever the angel on my shoulder!

My condolences to you and your family. What a special woman! She planted so many seeds! As the "Mother" of Liturgical Dance, her pioneering efforts paved the way for so many. I will miss her so very much!

Much love,
Donna Anderle

Dear Ed and family,

I am saddened to hear of Gloria's passing but am assured of her grand jete into glory. She was so self-assured yet self-effacing, amazingly passionate while ever polite, truly loving and always a Lady. Her graciousness and wit mirrored a heart of gold and spirituality that sparkled. She was one of a kind; we will not her like again, and so must hold her memory dear. Glory to God is now Gloria to God, as they are one. May she dance eternally with Cherubim and Seraphim in that unending hymn of praise.

Ed Foley

Meetings of the North American Academy of Liturgy were not complete without a conversation with the wonderful Gloria. She was always a positive presence and a great encouragement, especially in my early days in publishing. My world is a little less bright today, but her memory is a treasure for always.