Obituary of Gloria Anne Day
DAY: Gloria Anne Day, age 66, of Grand Bend Ontario passed away on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 in Grand Bend, Ontario, after a very courageous four-year long battle with cancer.
Gloria is survived by her husband Simon Day, and their three children, Rebecca Cherwonak (Jody) of Grand Bend, Barbara Anselmo (Nelson) of Forest, Jake Day (Janine) of Hamilton, ON. Beloved grandmother of Lily Cherwonak, Moth & Matthew Anselmo, and Evan & Mia Day. Dearest sister of Richard Way (Maggie) of Kitchener and Leisa Way (David Nairn) of Orangeville. Second Mom to Chantel Day of Sarnia, and cherished friend of Shirley Greenwood of Parkhill. Predeceased by her parents Leo & Eilleen Way (nee Jamieson) of Powassan & Callander, ON.
There will be no visitation as per Gloria’s wishes. A memorial will be held online at a later date. T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home in Dashwood, ON will be handling the funeral arrangements.
Gloria was born on August 28th, 1954 and from the day of her birth proved herself to be a fighter, a child with a strong spirit and love of life, something that benefitted her all through her life. Growing up as a child in Kitchener in the 50’s and 60’s, Gloria loved to roller skate, dance to the Beatles and as a teenager, would leave the house in the morning, and as soon as she was out of sight of her Mom, she would turn up the waistband on her skirt, turning it into a mini-skirt.
Her father was transferred to Sault Ste. Marie in 1968, and it was while going to high school there, that Gloria became interested in theatre when she was privileged to work with and become great friends with Academy Award winning actress Lila Kedrova. However, Gloria knew the arts was a precarious career, so she earned a diploma in Business in 1971 and began that career as the personal secretary to the President of McGuiness Distillers in Toronto. Her passion for theatre led her to become a professional makeup artist, trained by renowned director & makeup artist Jack Medhurst, with whom she traveled the country doing makeup for emergency assimilations. In the mid-80’s, she began her career in professional theatre as Props Master for the Sudbury Theatre Centre, where she met her husband, Simon Day. Her mentor, Tony Lloyd offered her a stage management position, and Gloria went on to become one of the most well-loved Stage Managers in all of Canada. In 1987, Gloria and Simon both began working with the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend. In 1992, she became the General Manager of HCP, and when Drayton Entertainment took over Huron Country Playhouse in the year 2000, Glo moved into the position of Executive Director, a position she held with Drayton Entertainment until retiring from theatre in 2005 when her first grand-child was born. After a lifetime in theatre, she longed for more time to spend with her family, and a less stressful job. She ‘retired’ from theatre, and went back to school to become an emergency dispatcher at St. Joseph Health Care Centre in London. The family joked that Glo found being in emergency services less stressful than theatre. She loved her new job and embraced it, and the many new friends she met there.
Glo was a champion for the arts and for all those in it. She was on the Board of the Trillium Foundation in Ontario, which supports many communities and worthy organizations with needed grants. If Glo was on your side, you were truly blessed. She was a fierce defender of all those she loved, and a loyal and generous friend. Her #1 priority was her family. Glo treasured her children, embracing every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Nana. Glo had a vivacious personality, a sharp wit, and always made those around her laugh. She loved with a ferocity that was admirable, and was a champion of the underdogs….and cats.
Her love of cats was so legendary, that strangers dropped stray cats off in her front porch, knowing she would take care of them. On opening nights, in lieu of opening night gifts, companies of actors & crew would collect money to help pay her stray cat vet bills. In the last few months of her life, one of her greatest joys was knowing that the beds she and Simon created for feral cats to sleep in outside their home, were being used. Every morning during her illness, she would ask if the feral cats had been fed yet, a tradition that Simon will dutifully continue in her honour.
Gloria left this world, at home, in the arms of the love of her life, Simon, and listening to her favourite song, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. She left this world a truly better place for having been in it. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, and reunited with her beloved parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: 4 The Luv of Luna Cat Rescue in Thedford, Ontario.
