Gloria May (Peterson) House

Gloria May (Peterson) House

An Angel on Earth -

Gloria May (Peterson) House, age 91, of Columbia, MD, and formerly of Mechanicsburg, PA, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at Sunrise of Columbia.  Gloria was born on Friday, May 21, 1926 in Rockford, IL to the late Edward Carl Peterson and Alvina Owens.  Gloria was the widow of Richard “Dick” Myron House, Sr., whom she married on March 20, 1950, and who died on December 29, 2013.  In addition to her parents and husband, Gloria is preceded in death by her sister, Doris Nelson.

Gloria’s survivors include her three children: Judy E. Brown and her husband, Terry, of Columbia, MD, Jill H. Smith and her husband, Steve, of Forest Hill, MD,  Richard M. House, Jr., and his partner, Liz Evans, of Stratford, CT; her daughter-in-law, Pat House of Horseheads, NY;  her six grandchildren, Tara Brown Martin, Aaron Brown, Jessica Smith, Stephanie Smith, Caitlin House, Dani House; her five great-grandchildren, Jay Martin, Tyler Martin, Elena Brown, Elliott Brown, Spencer Brown; and her two half-siblings: Dean Peterson, and Teresa Schurke.

Gloria graduated from Grantsburg High School as part of the class of 1944.  She retired in the 1980s from the Navy Ships Parts Control Center in Mechanicsburg as a procurement specialist.  Prior to her time at the base, Gloria worked for many years at the Book of the Month Club, also in Mechanicsburg.  Those who knew Gloria knew a beautiful woman who had the most caring and loving nature along with an amazing can-do spirit.  There was nothing that Gloria was not able to accomplish, from all of the tasks associated with homemaking to the challenges presented to her in her career to the physical demands of maintenance and repairs.  She loved both her vegetable and flower gardens and spent many happy hours toiling in the dirt.  Gloria was many wonderful things but to those who knew her she was an angel on earth; someone who always cared for others, especially her beloved husband and family.  Gloria is now reunited with her husband, Dick, in heaven.

All are welcome to join Gloria’s family at her viewing on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at 1:30 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Celebrant George A. Spangler officiating.  Burial will immediately follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery.  Gloria’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Hoss's Steak & Sea House, 61 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, following the burial.

Contributions in celebration of Gloria’s life can be made to Howard Hospital Foundation, 10705 Charter Drive, Suite 320, Columbia, Maryland 21044, ( 410) 740-7840 , or

https://howardhospitalfoundation.thankyou4caring.org/page.aspx?pid=298.

Gloria’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Gloria’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.