Sept. 6, 1931 – April 23, 2025
It is with heavy hearts the family of Gloria Elizabeth Seward announce her passing at age of 93 years.
Gloria leaves to cherish her memory her children, Garfield (Esther), Bradford Seward, Leslie Seward, her grandchildren, Myles (Brandi- Lee), Jenna (Mike), Kassity (Zack) as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other extended family members, many friends and loved ones.
Gloria was predeceased by: her parents, Stuart Hawkins and Ida Hawkins (Ernshaw); sisters Gladys Johnson (Hawkins), Margaret Folk (Hawkins); brothers-in-law Mel Johnson, Al Folk, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Gloria was born Sept 6, 1931 at Merritt, B.C. in-between sisters Gladys and Margaret. Not long after they moved to the Hawkins family farm, just east of Edmonton. Many memories were told of Gloria and her sisters playing in the large yard, the hay loft above the barn, helping pop in his small shop, and helping their mother, Nan, with the garden and around the yard.
Gloria went to school in the east Edmonton area and then on to college in the Garneau Area, (near the University of Alberta) where she left with a Secretarial Diploma. Not long after she found employment at an insurance company.
After a few years she met Jack Seward through a meeting facilitated by her sister. On April 28, 1958 they were married then moved to Tangent, AB where they farmed. The following April their first son was born and every two years after that each sibling until their family of five was complete.
Gloria supported Jack with farming, operating 3-ton grain trucks and tractors, keeping work crews fed, tending to the yard, gardening and raising their three children. Once her children were old enough, Gloria started working at the Eaglesham School as the office secretary and a school bus driver. She was fondly remembered as the school mom by many students. Along the way she created many friendships and comrades. She volunteered with The Royal Purple out of Eaglesham, helped with a youth club and other activities within the community.
Gloria and Jack divorced in 1976 at which time she moved to Eaglesham and stayed until Leslie finished school in 1981.
Leslie and Gloria made the decision to move to Grande Prairie in the summer of 1981 where she worked with the Cooperators Insurance Company for a few years until she got the entrepreneur spirit and started a consignment clothing store (Deja Vous). When she turned 65, she decided it was time to retire. She borrowed a campervan from Bradford, travelled British Columbia and Alberta for about a year, then planted some roots in Innisfail, AB. For more than 10 years she enjoyed getting to know the area and making more friends. However, Penhold, just down the highway, appealed to her as it was a smaller community. Once again she forged new friendships and got involved in programs in both Penhold and Red Deer.
After her 90th birthday she decided she needed more help. Her family moved her to Westlock into a seniors complex called Smithfield. With her dementia progressing within a few years she moved to a facility in north Edmonton called LifeStyle Options, where she spent the remainder of her years.
Ther family would like to express our deepest gratitude to doctors, RNs, LPNs, administrative staff, recreational staff, cleaning staff, kitchen staff, and the maintenance staff, at Smithfield and Lifestyles Options as well as the doctors and nursing staff at the U of A Hospital where she spent her last days. She was truly blessed to have such caring people helping her through the stages of her life.
As per Gloria’s wishes, there will not be a reception or a Celebration of Life.
Gloria’s ashes will be placed next to her mother and father at the Colchester Cemetery, 23269 Township Road 521A, Sherwood Park, AB, in care of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Sherwood Park.
Charitable donations in her memory can be made to the Dementia and Alzheimer Society of Alberta.