Gloria Flores

Gloria Flores, born on September 25, 1941 in Morenci, Arizona, peacefully passed away on September 21, 2024 in Loma Linda, California. She is remembered as a woman of unwavering dedication, profound compassion, and boundless creativity, whose impact on her community will be cherished for generations to come.

Gloria was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Altar Society from 1962 to 1971, where she committed herself to various responsibilities including fundraising, booth tending, and volunteering for choir and special events. Her fervent spirit for service did not stop there; she co-founded the El Centro De La Gente (The Peoples Center) in 1973, where she served as secretary until 1991. Gloria played a pivotal role in securing tutors for K-12 students from the University of Redlands and was instrumental in forming Ballet Folklorico for underprivileged youth. Through her efforts, she arranged for dance instructors, obtained materials for folklorico dresses, and coordinated numerous performances, ensuring that the arts were accessible to all.

Her initiatives extended further to the unwed teenage mothers program, where she successfully sought out OB-GYN doctors, nurses, and nutritionists to educate young mothers about pre- and post-natal care. Gloria's commitment to these young women was significant; she even arranged for the donation of eight sewing machines and material so they could create baby clothes and blankets, embodying her supportive nature.

In addition to her many roles, Gloria organized karate and kung-fu classes, making martial arts uniforms for her students and enhancing their performances with music. Her dedication was evident in every project she undertook, showcasing her remarkable ability to galvanize resources and support for bettering the lives of those around her.

Gloria's unwavering commitment to her community was epitomized through her long-standing involvement with the Navidad En El Barrio (Christmas in the Neighborhood) program, which she coordinated from 1976 until her passing. This vital program has delivered food baskets to families in need for decades, and under her guidance, has expanded to include annual distributions of 500 baskets, with care and attention directed towards shut-ins.

Gloria's outstanding contributions have not gone unnoticed; she received the "Coordinator of the Year" award from NEEB four times, a testament to her exceptional leadership and passion for community service.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Ediberto Flores, along with her three children, 4 step-children, seven grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind two sisters who will remember her spirit and resilience.

Services to honor Gloria's remarkable life will be held on October 2, 2024. The funeral service will take place at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel in Redlands, CA, beginning at 11:00 AM, followed by a graveside service at Hillside Memorial Park at 1:00 PM. A celebration of her life will take place later that day at the Eddie and Gloria Flores Senior Center, starting at 2:00 PM.

Gloria Flores lived her life with profound purpose, leaving an indelible mark on everyone she met. Her legacy of kindness, service, and love will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her.