Gloria Mousley Mumford passed gently from this life at her residence in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, on Friday, August 18, 2023.
She was well into her 99th year and her essential qualities – of faith, endurance, good cheer, care for others, smiles, and hugs – remained intact.
Gloria was born January 12, 1925, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Leora Wright and Grover Cleveland Mousley Yaeger. Before long the family moved to Oregon and Gloria grew up in a rural area east of Portland learning the customary chores of country life, including caring for the garden, orchard and the family animals (even with a sometimes tense relationship with the family cow). She graduated from Parkrose High School, developing interests in music and swimming as well as others.
She worked at radio stations in Albany and Portland, Oregon, maintaining large libraries of recorded popular music, writing commercials and even occasionally announcing on-air. World War II found her working in the office of a major shipbuilding company in Portland and helping disabled and distressed soldiers at Barnes General Hospital at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland.
On October 12, 1948, she married Byron Vadier Mumford, and at the age of 23 immediately became the loving mother of Vadier’s three children, ages 5, 3, 1, whose mother had died suddenly in January the previous year. Over the next 14 years she gave birth to four more children and was a devoted mother and mentor to all seven children. The family home in Portland was a scene of everything from measles to music to marriage celebrations for some of the daughters. Her homes in both Utah and Oregon were welcoming and often filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread or cookies, an extension of her genuine warmth toward everyone, especially those in need of a friend.
As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gloria has served in many ways. She was well known for memorable girls camps and epic musical productions. She loved teaching high school seminary and maintained warm friendships with grateful students over decades. She loved to study and ponder the scriptures, and her reading table was full of well-read inspirational books and biographies of notable people. Conversations often included quotations from her current reading interests.
Gloria and Vadier moved from Portland to Salt Lake City in 1981 where she continued to serve and build lasting friendships. Together they served a mission in the newly dedicated Denver, Colorado Temple and also served faithfully in the Salt Lake Temple, an opportunity she continued for several years after his passing in 2004.
Gloria will always be remembered for her musical heart. She loved singing, playing the piano, and conducting. Multiple generations of her family love Christmas music, in part because we get to sing the word “Gloria” so often. She developed an avid interest in bowling and was a frequent star in leagues both in Portland and Salt Lake. She was delighted to show her trophies and custom bowling balls. She was also an accomplished seamstress.
Gloria and Vadier began a tradition of large family reunions which she has continued, with memorable gatherings across Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Family members will always cherish her expressions of testimony, love, and life lessons from beneath her distinctive pink hat.
She looks forward to once again being with her husband, parents, sisters Juanda, Leora, Evelyn and brothers Gene and Dwaine. She is survived by her daughters Leslie Hinton (James), Lois Stevens (Craig), Nora Moulder (Ed), Lorna Ball (Michael), Letha Winger (Harold) and by her sons Mark and Lyle; 27 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
You always bring a smile, dear Mother, looking so lovely in your sweet little Alice blue gown.
The family wishes to thank the leaders and friends of the MidValley 3rd Branch and staffs at Truewood Senior Living and Independence Home Health and Hospice for their gracious help and care.
Memorial services will be at Larkin Mortuary at 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, and include viewings on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 6:00-7:30 PM and Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 9:00-9:45 AM with the funeral service being held Saturday morning at 10:00 AM.
The interment will be at the City of Montpelier Cemetery in Montpelier, Idaho, beside the grave of her dear husband following the funeral on Saturday.
Gloria was a beautiful woman, both inside and out. She was an exemplary example of womanhood and service to us in the Portland East Stake. I am honored to have known her.
Lyle, my best wishes, and condolences as you grieve the loss of your mother. I am grateful for raising a son that influenced me greatly.
Dear aunt Gloria! I will always remember your gentle smile and the support you gave me through so many concerts, and plays, while I lived in Salt Lake City! Because of you, I got to spend some of the happiest years of my life in Salt Lake doing what I most love. I love you. Thank you for everything.
Gloria was my mother, Gloria Davies, next door neighbor for about 5 years at Canyon Creek Assisted Living. Gloria (or Gloria #2 as she called herself at CC to distinguish herself from my mother) became a good friend to both of us. She was such a wonderful woman, and I grew to love her dearly. I haven’t seen her since my mother passed away in 2019, but I’ve thought of her frequently. I know from talking to her, she missed her husband dearly and really wanted to go “home” to see him again. I’m glad she got her wish. I know you will miss her, but gather your memories around you to comfort you. You’ve gained a beautiful guardian Angel who will be waiting for you to come home.
I just became aware of Aunt Gloria's passing. She was always a delight to talk with. She was everything as described in the official release of her passing. Gloria is my dad's (Dwaine), and uncle's (Gene) sister, all three are dearly missed!
