Gloria’s adventures ended on Saturday, October 28, 2017, after complications of an autoimmune disease. She was born in July of 1944, and was married to the love of her life, William (Bill) E. Hennessey, for nearly four decades. Gloria’s adventure began in Sacramento, California, where she was born. With her family, she got to enjoy many travels throughout the Midwest and the seven western states. She and Bill settled in Nampa in 1960, where they raised six children together. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and their children, Michael (Mike) L. Hennessey, Sharron L. Elliott, and Patrick (Pat) D. Hennessey. She is survived by daughters, Dian Wallace and Helen Covey (husband Fred), son William E Hennessey III (wife Teresa), her favorite and only brother, Robert (“Bro”) Hazel (wife Iva), as well as sixteen grandchildren and even more great grandchildren and even some great, great grandchildren. Pretty good for 73 years!

Gloria did not end her adventure when her family got settled in Nampa, it was actually just getting started! She was quite an accomplished woman who wore many hats over her lifetime. She met her best friend of over fifty years while working as a chicken plucker at a processing plant. She also worked as a deputy at the sheriff’s office, as a real estate agent, and owned a couple of small businesses including a furniture store and a process serving business. She worked at the Saltzer Medical Center for a number of years and even learned to drive a semi-truck and went cross country with her husband.

In between working and raising her family, she signed onto the Navy Reserves, which allowed her to become a world traveler for 24 years and earned the title of Chief. She went active duty in numerous places, including Japan, Germany, Korea, Iraq, and Kuwait. Her troop was one of the first to land in Iraq during the Iraqi Freedom campaign. Her favorite active duty location was a toss-up between Korea & Kuwait; she requested to return to those posts several times, as she loved the people and enjoyed learning about their culture. Gloria was very proud of her military service, as was her family, and rightfully so – She made an excellent sailor!

She and Bill enjoyed traveling together and did so every chance they had. They were snowbirds and she continued her biannual flight for many years after Bill passed. These two lovebirds also enjoyed deep sea fishing together, their adventures in Mexico, and hunting and camping trips over the years. The two of them enjoyed time at the lake on the boat, and despite never learning to swim, Gloria was a darn good water-skier! Bill enjoyed dancing with his “angel”; they were truly the best of friends.

Gloria was an outgoing and social gal, joining many groups over the years, including the Moose Lodge, Toast Mistress International, and volunteering for Love Inc. Besides these and her service to our country, she gave herself and her time to many other community organizations. Gloria never met a stranger and would give her all to anyone who needed it! Simply put, she was full of life and adventure. Gloria’s family meant the world to her and she loved every moment spent with them. She was loved by so, so many and will be missed by all who knew her.

Special thank you’s go to her daughter and granddaughter Helen Covey & Ricquel Dawson, who supported and cared for her over the past couple years, her grandchildren Addie & Brad Delaney, who helped her to remain actively involved with things she enjoyed during her last year or two with us, and to her dearest “sister-friend,” Dorothy Raganit, who has been a close friend to Gloria for many, many years and has played a great role in the support of her family during these more difficult times.

Services will be held at Alsip and Persons Funeral Chapel in Nampa on Thursday, November 2, 2017; viewing from 9:00am-11:00am, funeral service at 11:00am, followed by burial at Kohlerlawn Cemetery. A reception will be held at Golden Corral in Nampa on Thursday at 1:00pm to celebrate Gloria’s life; her family will be providing lunch and extend an invitation to those who would like to attend.