Gloria Maddock Stephensen, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother returned to her Heavenly Father on March 2nd, 2018 at the age of eighty-≠seven in Draper, Utah. Gloria was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She later spent a couple of decades living in Utah but she never abandoned her Southern roots.
Throughout her life, Gloria had Florida sand in her shoes and a song in her heart. She was an accomplished musician and singer. She began singing professionally on the radio and in public at the age of nine. She later chose to dedicate her musical talent to the LDS church. Her greatest wish in life was to have her gift be passed down through generations and see her offspring develop their talents. She was never too busy for a quick recital, a sticky finger painting, a photo or story.
Gloria was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her favorite church calling was leading the singing time in Primary. She had a great love for the temple and she worked in the Jordan River Temple and dedicated much of her later years to genealogy work. She was a talented seamstress and supported herself and her daughters with her designs for many years.
Gloria was proud of her family and was never happier than when she was surrounded by her loved ones. The opportunity to spend time with her growing family and meet more of her great grandchildren was one of the highlights of her life. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence Joshua and Nellie Hill Maddock, siblings Lawrence and LaVonne and her daughter Gail Leilani Parente. Survived by her daughter Gwendolyn Stephensen Thornton (Randall), her grandchildren: Leilani (Andrew), Christopher (Stephanie), Kerstin (Scott), Gary (Sarah), Joshua (Ashlee), Michael (Emily), Damian (Katelyn) and 19 great grandchildren.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Millcreek Hospice and Beehive Homes of Draper for their kind and tender care over the last couple of years.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Larkin Sunset Gardens at 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) Sandy, Utah. Friends and family may visit from 9:30 to 10:30 that morning with the service to begin at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow service at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
