Gloria Wells

Gloria Wells (nee Hawkins)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Gloria May Wells (nee Hawkins) on April 16th at Etobicoke General Hospital in her 93rd year. Gloria is predeceased by her loving husband of 40 years Bruce Gordon Wells (d). Beloved sister of Joan Mills (d) (Murray) and Philip (Phil) Hawkins. She was a devoted mother to Mauri Mitchell, Loni Gustafson (Don), William (Bill) Wells and David Wells (Wendy). A proud grandmother to Lisa, Melinda (d), Trevor, Jennifer, Michelle, Stacey, Brandon and Brittany and to her great grandchildren Montana, Hunter, and Aurora.

Gloria was born in Toronto but grew up in Twillingate Nfld., a town where the Hawkins name is well known and where many friends and family members still call home. She was very proud of her Newfoundland heritage and always beamed when she spoke of her upbringing. It was here that her passion for caring started early caring for her brother Phil when their mother took ill. Gloria’s passion for people never waivered and was evident in everything she did from her love of her family to her long career as a Registered Nurse. She graduated from Toronto East General & Orthopedic Hospital School of Nursing in 1950. In 1953 she completed her Post Graduate Degree in Operating Technique and Management in New York City at the New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital. Her nursing career began in Ontario, took her back to Newfoundland and then again to Ontario where she met Bruce and where together they raised their family. Gloria spent most of her career as an Intensive Care & Operating Room Nurse where she taught young nurses proper operating room procedures. Later in her career she became Director of Downsview Services to Seniors (Meal On Wheels) working with seniors to make sure they had the support and services they required.

Gloria was very active in the United Church. She taught Sunday school and was part of several groups at Beverly Hills United Church and continued her ongoing commitment at Wellington Square United Church. She touched and inspired people everyday with her smile and enthusiastic energy.

Gloria loved to travel and to see new sites and meet new people. Many of these adventures she enjoyed with her sister and side kick Joan Mills together with their spouses Bruce (Wells) and Murray (Mills). She often retold stories of their trips and always with great affection and humour at their many antics. As sisters often do, Gloria and Joan had a lifelong connection –their weekly phone calls usually collapsing into uproarious laughter and stories only they knew. Gloria’s 90th Birthday celebration a few years ago was another highlight, made all the better by her brother Phil’s arrival from Granada, and brother-in-law Murray’s arrival from Florida.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a future date when we can come together to honour her memory. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Heart & Stroke would be greatly appreciated.