Gloria Patricia Griffin Staewen

June 8, 1929 - May 30, 2017
Gloria Staewen, beloved wife and mother, passed away at home surrounded by family on May 30, 2017. Born in San Antonio, Texas, she attended Fox Tech High School, where she met the love of her life, John C. Staewen. They would have been married sixty-seven years on June 10, 2017. The cornerstone of her life was that of service. Gloria selflessly served her family, her church and her community. A resident of Balcones Heights since 1960, she was a volunteer Fire Department Women's Auxiliary member. As part of the Women's Auxiliary, she along with others helped raise funds by running a "Cinemoppet Theater" for children of Wonderland shoppers. The community's volunteer Fire Department used the funds they raised to purchase a fire truck. Gloria and her husband were among the founding families of St. Paul's Catholic Church, where she was a long time member of the Altar Society. She was always faithful in gathering donations and selling countless raffle tickets for the church's fundraising events.
One of Gloria's most fulfilling endeavors was that of serving as a volunteer in the Blue Bird Auxiliary to the Methodist Hospital. As a Lifetime member, she had the privilege of assisting families and comforting them during stressful circumstances. In this capacity, she accrued over 5500 hours of patient-centered service.
Her father, Herbert T. Griffin, mother, Dorothy Kline Griffin Fellabom, brother, Armand Griffin, sons-in-law James Marraro, Robert Farmer, and great-grandson, Augustus Carrasquillo preceded her in death. Gloria is survived by her husband, John Staewen, brother, Michael Griffin (wife, Christine), five daughters, Sharon Beyer (husband, Daniel), Susan Farmer, Shelley Hendry, Shirley Poulos (husband, Deno), Sheila Marraro, twenty-one grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Her love for people knew no bounds, and she was often a quiet champion of those in need. Gloria was keenly sensitive to the lonely and broken hearted, always reaching out offering kind words and assistance. She truly never "met a stranger," and often formed close bonds with those who crossed her path. Hope, love and joy flowed freely from her huge heart and compassionate spirit. Gloria was in her own words a "people person." She will remain in our hearts and minds as a gift and a "pearl of great price," a true and lasting treasure.
Visitation will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 350 Sutton Dr., on Monday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m. with recitation of the rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be June 13th at St. Paul's Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mission Park South Cemetery 1700 S.E. Military Drive.