Gloria Bunch, 84, died Oct. 17, 2006, at Whidbey Island Manor after an extended illness. She was born Oct. 20, 1921, in Oklahoma City to Charles and Lillian Shewey.

Gloria or Glow, as her childhood friends knew her, was raised in Oklahoma City. She attended Capitol Hill High School, graduating with honors. While in high school she was a member of a modern dance troop that toured all over the state. She also worked as a “car hop” for Martin’s Barbeque Stand. After high school she went on to business college where she studied to be a secretary. She ultimately went to work for Halliburton Industries as an executive secretary to the head of the company’s plant in Oklahoma.

In 1944 Gloria met Master Sergeant Daniel Bunch. They were married in June of 1945. They traveled the country to various duty stations where Dan was an air traffic control man early on and later went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration. They settled on Whidbey Island in 1960 where they raised their two children.

Gloria bowled for many years in the local Housewives League. She loved to play bridge and volunteer her time at Whidbey General Hospital’s gift shop. For a time she and Dan were active in the Elks Club, but her passion was her Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She belonged to the sorority for over 65 years. She held virtually every office, some several times and was a member of the Master Beta Chapter.

Gloria is survived by her daughter Sharon McAllister of Oak Harbor and her son David Bunch of Germany. She also leaves four grandsons; Todd, with wife Jeanette, Kelly, Scott with wife Sadeen and Christopher. She was preceded in death by her brothers Charles and David, as well as her sister Mary.

Visitation for Gloria will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, from noon to 5 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held on Monday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel.