At the Groves, you can’t miss “Glorious Gloria,” always ready to welcome a new resident, participate in activities, play in the games, and keep you laughing! Gloria, 79 years old, is a familiar face in the Kensington Park Family. Gloria’s loving husband of 58 years, Alvin, lived at the Groves with us until 2014, when he passed on. Shortly thereafter, Gloria moved into the Highlands, then the Woodlands, and is now here with us at the Groves. The family has been part of the Kensington Park family for almost ten years. Gloria has kept her spirit for all those years, as she was recently seen dancing away at her granddaughter’s wedding!
Gloria’s father started his own business selling food from a cart at the turn of the century in the early 1900s, right after escaping the pogroms in Russia. On a handshake, he got a loan, and started a family business in Washington, DC. Gloria grew up living above the store.
Gloria attended high school in Washington, D.C., and was active in sports and many clubs. To her parent’s surprise, she insisted on going to college, where she majored in education. There she met her husband, Alvin. He was the “sweetheart” of her sorority. They were married in 1955 in Washington, D.C.
After graduation from college, Gloria taught kindergarten and second grade in Montgomery County, Maryland, where the family made their home. Gloria and Alvin raised three children together. While raising her children, Gloria was active in volunteer organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Hadassah and the Sisterhood at Adas Israel. She was one of the first women to serve on the Board at Adas Israel Congregation.
As her children got older, Gloria and Alvin worked together, and she managed the cosmetic and gift department at their family pharmacy. Gloria and Alvin took great pride in their drug store and the customers loved them. They were highly respected and well known in the medical community in D.C.
Gloria always had an insatiable desire to travel and meet people from different cultures. With her children off to college and self-sufficient, she and Alvin made travel a priority for themselves. She was fortunate to have visited 6 of the 7 continents, including Japan, Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, France, Italy, Great Britain, Poland and Kenya.
Gloria had many hobbies: tennis (she played once a week in Wheaton), bridge, golf, fishing, and occasionally, mahjong. Don’t be fooled by her slight stature – she had a vicious overhead smash!
Gloria’s greatest joy has always been her children and grandchildren, who referred to Gloria as Grandma “GloGlo.” She also has been blessed with new additions to the family, as she has many wonderful step grandchildren and more weddings coming.
Gloria always has a great attitude and tries to make the best of whatever comes her way, even though there is not a day that goes by that she doesn’t miss Alvin. We love having Gloria here with her great spirit, attitude, and sense of humor!