Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Gloria Darlien May of The Dalles, Ore., died Jan. 27, 2024, at the age of 91. She was born March 23, 1932, in Boy River, Minn., to John and Helen (Aldrich) Newman, who named her after the actress Gloria Swanson. She was the third of five children. The family moved to Oregon during the Depression and eventually settled in Hermiston. Gloria met Gale May while working in the artemisia fields and they were married six weeks later on Aug. 1, 1949. They celebrated 73 years before Gale passed in 2023.
Gloria was a "stay at home" wife who was a devoted mother and grandmother, caring for her family. Gloria and Gale became snowbirds following Gale’s retirement from Pacific NW Bell for 30 years and split their time between Bouse, Ariz., and their home in The Dalles. She loved sewing and quilting, and everyone received a handmade quilt. She also loved to crochet and embroider. She was an avid bowler, baseball fanatic and an enthusiastic pinochle player.
Survivors include their four children, Darlien and Darrell France, Galen and Laura May, Keith and Christina May and Kerry and Jim Benson; 10 grandchildren, Mitch France, Chad Walter (Patty), Todd Walter (Melisa), Valerie May, Evan May (Nikki), Art May (Kate), Chuck May, Andrea Benson-Reed (Lamar), Marisa Benson, Morgan Benson (Sean); seven great-grandchildren; sisters-in-laws Nancy Newman, Opal Dee Miller Timmel, Millie May; double cousin Elaine Lindquist; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Graveside services will be at Parklawn Cemetery for immediate family. A celebration of life service will be held April 6 at noon at Spooky’s in The Dalles.
To plant a tree in memory of Gloria May as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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