Gloria Florence Dawson

Gloria Florence Dawson (96) of Azalea Trace in Pensacola, FL passed away peacefully on September 17, 2021, two days after her 96th birthday. She was born in Cleveland, OH on September 15, 1925 to William Henry Goerndt and Florence Veronica Goerndt. Gloria attended elementary school in Clarksfield, OH and Junior High and High School in East Cleveland, OH. She graduated from Shaw High School in 1944. Gloria was employed at her father's trucking company, Appliance Carthage Company, as a bookkeeper while attending Cleveland College of Western Reserve University. It was then that she decided to pursue her love of travel and attend Northwest Airlines Stewardess School, in St. Paul, MN, graduating from there in 1952. She flew for Northwest Airlines based out of Minneapolis, MN until she met a handsome Marine, Carl F. (Chuck) Dawson, on one of her flights! Chuck & Gloria were married in 1953, for almost 49 years, until Chuck's death in 2002. Gloria was a very loving, supportive, and devoted military wife, and mother to their four children. She was quite active with the Officers Wives Clubs in North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland throughout Chuck's military career. While living in the Washington DC area, in the late '60's she became an avid volunteer for T.H.I.S. for Diplomats, an organization that aided diplomat's spouses and children in getting better acquainted with the DC area through tours, luncheons, and public events. She met people from all over the world in this volunteer capacity. When Chuck retired from the Marine Corp, they moved to Pensacola, FL in 1970. Gloria also became involved with many volunteer organizations in Pensacola. Her longest membership was with the Pensacola Bay Area League of Women Voters, where she was ardently involved with governmental and environmental issues, lobbying for them by making countless trips to the capitol in Tallahassee. She served as the League's president for a couple years and remained a very active member for 25+ years! She remained lifelong friends with many of her fellow "Leaguers"! Gloria loved and supported her family in so many countless and selfless ways. Family gatherings were always a highlight for both her and Chuck. There was always room at the dinner table for those that may show up for a visit! Gloria thoroughly enjoyed gardening in her yard and greenhouse. She had many beautiful plants, flowers, and Bonsai trees. She loved to travel and had many adventures. Some of her travels took her to Alaska, England, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Russia, and China. Gloria had a big, selfless heart. She never met a stranger and would help someone when she could. When Gloria moved out to Azalea Trace in 2002, she made many new friends and reconnected with some old ones. She was also very active in the Trace community as well. She was a member of their Resident Council Committee, she attended her building's T.G.I.F.'s, played Bridge, Bingo and Scrabble. She was very social! Gloria, one classy woman, our mom, will be sorely missed. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents William and Florence Goerndt, and her husband Carl F. (Chuck) Dawson. Survivors include her four children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren: David (Susan) Dawson - Bryan (partner Dale Castellucci), Haley (Joe) Pate, Lauren Jeff (Elise) Dawson - Megan, Ian, Kelsey (partner Euj Osoria), Nigel (Savannah Miller), Colin (Natalie) Doug (Susie) Dawson - Aaron Diane (David) Ruckstuhl - Shane (Olivia), Monica (Corey) Guisinger Great-grands - Sebastian Dawson, Brynn Fink, Cayden, Alana, & Maxwell Guisinger Friends & Family visitation will be on Monday, October 25th, 2021, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home & Crematory, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32505 from 10:00am to 10:25am, with a memorial service promptly following at 10:30am, with Chaplain Dietz presiding. The family requires all attending to wear a face mask, covering your nose and mouth. Thank you. A private, family only, interment will take place out at Barrancas National Cemetery. The families would like to thank the staff at WillowBrooke Court, at Azalea Trace, for mom's many years of care. And, would like to thank Covenant Hospice for mom's help, in her end care. We also thank everyone for their kindness and prayers during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Gloria F. Dawson, to: The Pensacola Bay Area League of Women Voters PO BOX 2023 Pensacola, FL 32513 Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.con.

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Gloria Florence Dawson

September 15, 1925 - September 17, 2021