Gloria Jean Thomas, age 94, of Park Ridge, Illinois passed away March 13, 2025. Beloved wife of 72 years to the late Robert Thomas. Loving mother of Robert Scot (Tiffany) Thomas, Steven (Linda) Thomas, Sue (Randy) Conrad, Sheri (Michael Weiler) Thomas and former daughter-in-law Lynn Stalowy. Proud grandmother of Stephanie (Clay Preheim) Thomas, the late Katie Thomas, Ashley Thomas, Amy (the late Chris) Ariano, Amanda (Trevor Cairns) Conrad, Peter (Lizzie) Conrad, Ryan and Ali Weiler. Honored great-grandmother of Ellery, Hunter and Adrian Preheim, Parker Stalowy, Ava and Benjamin Ariano, and Zoey Conrad.

Gloria was born January 25,1931 in Oak Park, Illinois to the late Vern and the late Clara (nee Spriggs) Damarin. She worked at a soda shop in her teens, graduated from Forman High School, and worked at Northern Trust Bank before having her children.Gloria was an only child but found her family once she married.  She was an avid gardener who loved her flowers and was a dedicated member of the Des Plaines Garden Club for many years. Her love of baking and cooking was enjoyed by all and the passion has been passed down to her children and grandchildren. She was a devoted wife and a proud and lovingmother and always made sure her household ran smoothly. She took care of many people over the years including her parents and numerous neighbors who needed care. As an animal lover, Gloria had many pets during her lifetime, including dogs, cats, hamsters, and fish. One of her greatest joys was to look out the window and watch her backyard wildlife. Gloria was also an avid reader. You could find her reading in her backyard or before she went to bed. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and enjoyed many family vacations up in Baraboo, Wisconsin, often going boating, fishing, on waterslides with her grandchildren and visiting Captiva, Florida where they enjoyed looking for shells. In her later years, Gloria especially enjoyed her ice cream sundaes and chocolates, Ghirardelli milk chocolate caramel squares and thin Reese's peanut butter cups being her favorites. Her legacy of love and compassion will live on through the generations she nurtured.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, March 19th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. at G.L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois. Interment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 4301 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gloria's name to the Des Plaines Garden Club, P.O. Box 1461, Des Plaines, IL 60017 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/508128/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=om_cidoc-a1bVL000002WROv . Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center. For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com .