Gloria was the 2nd child born to Esmerelda & Earl Trickier of Milwaukee, WI. Her father Earl, and brother Jack, were both devoted to The New York Blower, Co. and considered it the Family Business. Though Gloria’s youthful interests lay in Engineering and Geology, she chose an ‘Acceptable’ career and became an Elementary School Teacher.
She taught for 7 years until she met and married the Love of her Life, D. Bruce Hartley, Sr. in August of 1964. They each brought 2 sons to their marriage & subsequently had a daughter together. The early years of their marriage were challenging. They gained a child, lost 3 of their Parents and moved. They’d agreed: If they could handle all that, they would make it.They’d been married 52 years when Bruce died in June of 2016.
Theirs was a strong & supportive marriage. Bruce & Gloria raised their family in Hazel Crest II, before moving to Mahopac, NY. Bruce was originally from Walla Walla, WA. Upon retiring, they moved west to Oak Harbor, WA. Quickly becoming active members of the United Methodist Church and involved in their community. They even performed “Love Letters” on-stage at the Whidbey Playhouse.
Gloria’s insatiable curiosity and NEED to KNOW drove her to gain a vast expanse of knowledge. Both Gloria & Bruce valued higher education and encouraged others to be life-long learners. Gloria believed `Food is Love’ and was well-known for her exceptional cooking. Her artistic nature fostered creativity through painting, sewing, quilting (she had her own business), paper crafts, gardening and knitting. In her final years she knit for charity supporting both Holiday House and Margie’s House in Oak Harbor.
Gloria’s voice was deep & memorable; her heartfelt contagious laughter heralded her arrival often before the Bells on her feet! She possessed a formidable spirit. Enthusiastic. Generous. Fiercely loyal & protective. Unfailingly welcoming. Gloria was strong-willed and vigilantly observant of even small details. She could be both impish & cantankerous. Her great-grandson NJ said: “She was a very particular person. She always wanted her things HER way, but she still made sure others had things how they wanted them as well. She loved her family very much.”
Predeceased by both her husband Bruce & his eldest son David B. Hartley, Jr. Gloria’s Legacy continues in: Earl (Leslie) Hartley of Peekskill, NY., Laird (Linda) Hartley of Bourbonnais, IL., Don (Julie) Hartley of Port Charlotte, FL., Roberta Hartley (Kim Winterfeldt) of Oak Harbor, WA. Grandson Logan (Eileen) Hartley and their children Nolan James & Penelope. Also, through Sarah & Matthew Fellows and their sons Kalvin, Luke, Thomas and Nolan Charles. Josh (Val) Winterfeldt and their daughter Faith.
Gloria requested no public Service or Memorial. She wanted her ashes to be placed beside Bruce in Walla Walla in the Springtime.
