Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
Gloria Engelbart Obituary
of Surprise, AZ, age 84, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2009. Gloria was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Walter W. Engelbart. Gloria was deeply loved by her daughter Jan and son-in-law Jerry Mackulak of Scottsdale, AZ, and she will be dearly missed. She is survived by her beloved sister Jackie (Charlie) Hupe of St. Ann, MO, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. At the time of her passing, she was in the loving care of Ali and Mitch Orga of Adriel Care Home and Hospice of the Valley. Gloria was born on December 13, 1924 in St. Louis, graduated from Ritenour High School and worked at Wagner Electric and Curtiss-Wright. Gloria and Walter met on the tennis courts in St. Louis and, in 1953, became doubles partners for life. Together, they lived in Ferguson Hills, MO where they raised their daughter Jan, became members of Zion Lutheran Church, and played tennis daily in North County and at Dwight Davis. They moved to Sun City Grand in 1999 where they bought the home of their dreams. They joined Crown of Life Lutheran Church, and enjoyed family and friends, both near and far. Gloria will be remembered for being a great mom and friend, her incredible memory, her love of jazz and sports, and her generous and kind heart. Visitation will be at 4-7pm on Thursday, July 9 at Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel, 13738 Camino del Sol, Sun City West, AZ 85375. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, July 10 at 9am at Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 13131 Spanish Garden Drive, Sun City West and Gloria will be laid to rest with Walter at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix at 11am. Please sign her guestbook at www.legacy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gloria Engelbart
Jan Mackulak
March 4, 2021
My favorite picture of my Mom...always in my heart
Pat Bradley
September 4, 2009
Dear Jan,
I had the pleasure of meeting your parents around 1990 when Jane and Marilyn invited me to play in their Sunday group!
After the first Sunday, I immediately fell in love with Walt and Gloria. Walter was the sweetest sincerest man who always made you feel like he was happy you were his partner, and I always loved sitting out a set to catch up with Gloria each week! She was the "BEST" never complained and always was interested in what I was up to! It is not very often that you find a couple that are so humble and happy in life! I also know their greatest love and joy was having you as a daughter. God bless them both and may they rest in peace.
Jackie Hupe (sister)
August 13, 2009
Hi Sweetie,
I miss you very much, but know you are happy and at peace, with no more pain. You are with Walt now and all the people you loved on this earth.
Lastly ~ even though you are now in heaven, and I am still here on earth, we are and always will be connected ~ as you took a piece of my heart with you and I kept a piece of yours with me!
Love you, Jackie
August 5, 2009
Dear Jan and Jerry, we are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother. She was excited to get to heaven to see her husband again.
We hope to see you soon, J&J.
love, Stacy and Michael Steele
Gary & Pam Swanson
August 4, 2009
Jan & Jerry,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mother, especially so soon after losing your father. You always spoke with such pride of your parents and we're sure they were equally proud to have you for their daughter & Jer for their son-in-law. These last few months were hard for both of you and hopefully all your pleasant & happy memories will keep those beautiful smiles on your faces.
~Gary & Pam
August 4, 2009
Dear Jan,
Our simpathy and love go out to you. Your mother loved you so much, and she was so proud of you and your accomplishments.
We will never forget the frindliness and kindness Gloria extended to us.
With love,
Mitch, Ali & Bryan
Judy Dippold
August 3, 2009
Gloria will be missed immensely. She and Walt were very important in my life. I was one of the fortunate ones who got to see them annually in Arizona. Glo always made us feel we were very important and she loved being with her friends and family. She is now back with Walt, and I envision them smiling down on all of us. Jan and Jerry - you have our thoughts and prayers. Love ya!
Mark and Rose Gibson
July 30, 2009
What an absolute pleasure to have known and visited with Gloria and Walt. We were blessed to celebrate the 55th wedding anniversary with these two happily bliss people. She was the sweetest, purest person imaginable. You just wanted to hug her and hug her.
Jan and Jerry, you have been blessed with two very loving people in your life. Keep her memories alive in your hearts and minds. Thanks for including Mark and me in the expanded family.
July 29, 2009
Gloria,
I'm thankful we had time for our morning phone calls and the great stories you would tell me. You shared your love of tennis with so many, and helped people to better lives. You are truly a legend.
Love,
Lisa, Michael, Max, Cino, Gabe, Haky & Kanto
Kathy Hupe
July 28, 2009
Dear Aunt Gloria,
Well, your job on this earth has finally come to a completion. Now it is time for you and Uncle Walt to be good guardian angels for all of us down here on this place we call earth. Watch over us and guide us. I know we will feel your presence now and then. To all: raise your glass and make a toast with me to my husband's Aunt Gloria = Peace and happiness always.
Love,
Kathy and Steve Hupe, Vienna, IL
Micki Tugenberg
July 27, 2009
Jan, it is doubly difficult to lose your mother so soon after your Dad's passing. I will remember her as a warm and feisty person and oh so proud of you and your accomplishments. Treasure your memories of her.
Cary Iftner
July 27, 2009
Jan, I'm sure you have many fond memories of both your Mom and Dad. They are with us always and now they are together in a heavenly place. I'll always remember Gloria's
FOCUS when on a tennis court. It washer message to Cary, Donna, Cathy and myself when she watched us play. She was such a DELIGHT.
Kate Hamouda
July 26, 2009
Memories become jewels. Pictures and dear possessions become priceless. Parents’ word and actions not only helped form us, but keep us close to them forever. Pieces of them live in us. There is a tie that is never broken. A passing tells us we’re aging. But, we can face that future with more compassion, understanding, and clarity. The sting is lessened. The load is lighter. Their courage gives us courage. Their path sets an example for our path. We draw closer to those still here on earth. Eventually, we meet again in heaven. Jan, you are so amazing, you had to have wonderful parents. May you and Jer experience peace. God bless.
Mary Bagley
July 26, 2009
I've always liked your mom: my memories of her are about 30 years ago when she was much younger with blond hair and a tan, usually ready for a game of tennis. I remember her perky personality and your dad's sense of humor. I thought you are lucky to have such fun, athletic parents. I remember when I visited you in Scottsdale, you took me by the lot that your parents were going to build on in their retirement, and I thought it was so pretty and that it would be nice for them to be near you. It's great you were able to share those years in Scottsdale together. She's in heaven and glorified, but it's hard to say goodbye, isn't it?
Wendell Wilson
July 26, 2009
Jan you spoke so highly of your mom. The times I met her she was great.
I would loved to have her as a mom also.
Warm regards,
Wendell
Maria Thompson
July 26, 2009
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Anne Pellegrino
July 26, 2009
Dearest Gloria, everytime we met I enjoyed our time together. You were always so sweet and easy to talk to. My parents enjoyed our brunch together, and spoke of it often. Jan has been a wonderful friend to me, you raised her well.
Lou and Rebecca Phillips
July 15, 2009
Lou and I are so happy that we had the chance to meet Gloria and Walter. What an amazing couple. Together they created an equally amazing daughter. Our hearts are with you Jan.
Willette Doczy-Brown
July 9, 2009
For a tiny person Gloria had the biggest heart I ever saw. She was kind to every one, always finding some good in the most ugly of life. She came into my life in 1986 shortly after I had lost my own mother. She took me under her wing and I became part of her inner cirle. she found me a dentist when I would not go for fear of pain. I could go on and on, but simply put Gloria is missed. She was a treasure here on earth and I know she left a part of her in everyone she touched.
Jan, let your next days and weeks fill you with the grief you need and be replaced by the memories of a most wonderful mom.
sincerely, Willette
Liz Pfeffer
July 9, 2009
Dear Gloria,
I, too am very sad to see you go but I know you are now at peace and happy to be with Walt and your friends. I cannot begin to say what you meant to me....you and Walt were my second parents. I have so many great memories of the times spent at your house as Jan and I grew up. I know you both are very, very proud of Jan. You raised a gem and she and Jerry will be in my thoughts and prayers. You were excellent parents and friends to the Laughlins. I will miss you....say Hi to my Mom.
Danielle Wylie
July 9, 2009
I will miss my long telephone chats with "Mumsy" and our lunches together. She was a kind lady who made us feel very special. Dancing in the Stars was on, last night, and I know that one was of her favorites. There will be many reminders of our friend, Gloria. Kev and I were blessed to know her and Walter. We'll be seeing you soon, Jan and Jer, and will be thinking of you.
Jerry Mackulak
July 8, 2009
Gloria, I miss you deeply, but know in my heart that you are back with Walt and are again happy. I selfishly wanted you to stay here for a very long time but I understand your need to go. You taught me the joy of the simple things in life and I marveled at your love of just riding in a freshly washed car, or the magic in a shared meal, or how heading out with the “girls” could be a wondrous moment. More importantly, you never treated me like a son-in-law; you treated me like a son. You always made me feel happy to part of your family and to be sharing your life through both good and bad times. I never thought I would be saying goodbye so soon and it makes me sad to think I will never again see your smile, except in my memories. I will do my best to take care of Jan and hope as you look down from heaven you still think of me as your son. I will miss you.
Rich & Linda Polka
July 8, 2009
Top Ten List of Memories:
Home Grown Tomatoes
Portofino's
Hershey Bars
Bud Light
Sunday Telephone Calls
Tennis
Cardinals
Rams
Popcorn
Carver's
Gloria and Walter will know what these mean to us. We'll miss you, good friends.
Sharyn/Gene Rugh
July 8, 2009
Hey Cousin, You fought a long hard battle, now you are a peace. You will be missed - but I know you were welcomed in heaven with open arms by your loving husband, Walt. Not to mention the rest of the Rugh Clan that waiting for your arrival. Rest now you deserve it. We all know Jan is suffering your loss right, but time will help her deal with your passing, as will Jerry be there for her. I know you loved her dearly and Jerry too. We all love her and Jerry and will keep them in our prayers and stay in touch with them. Say HI to all the Rugh, you guys must be having a dandy reunion. We will miss your great wit and smiling face. God speed you on your journey home to be with him. Love, Sharyn and Gene Rugh and family.
Kathy Quinn Hennesy
July 8, 2009
Dear Jan,
I saw your Mom's obituary in the paper today and called my mom, Bev Quinn, to let her know.
Even though we only met once briefly, as kids we heard our parents speak so fondly of your parents so often I almost felt like I knew your family.
Please know you and Jerry are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cary Craig
July 8, 2009
Dearest Glor, I will never forget you. There's a little room in the back of my heart where I will keep all the wonderful memories of our times together. I can still see you standing there by the courts at DDTC giving me a pep talk, telling me to just "focus". Remember all the little Snoopy Dogs you would give us,(Donna, Cary Ift, Cathy and me)...your "tennis girls", every holiday? How wonderful it was to have had you in my life and just remember...I will always love you and miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with you Jan...and Jerry too. I know there is nothing harder in this life than to have to say that final goodbye to your mother.
Beverly Quinn
July 8, 2009
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
July 8, 2009
Hey Cousin, You fought a hard fight and now you are at peace and with your beloved Walt. I know he was waiting with open arms for your arrival. The rest of the Rugh clan was there to greet you as well. I'll bet you guys are having one dandy reunion. You will be missed by all of us who are earth bound. You left behind a wonderful,loving daughter and son-in-law. Say hi to Mom and Dad for us. We still miss them just we will miss you. Rest in peace. We
will stay in touch with your wonderful Jan and Jerry. There is not much family left, so we need to stay in touch. Love - Gene,Sharyn and family.
March 28, 2009 high noon - me and you having lunch and a pop at AJs
Jan Mackulak
July 8, 2009
Hi Mom, I miss you very much...I wish I could pick up the phone to call you, but I know that you are now together with Dad, because you missed him so. I will try to be a good person like you were to others. You made me very proud. You had a wonderful, long, happy life, please be at peace now and we will come visit you and Dad every 4th of July, when you became free from this earth. I will treasure our last weekend out together, having a root beer on our "girl's spa day". I'm glad we could take care of you at the end, like you took care of me as a child. Thanks for being my mom, I love you, you know I do, and I know you love us...Jan
Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results
Make a Donation
in Gloria Engelbart's name
Memorial Events
for Gloria Engelbart
How to support Gloria's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Gloria Engelbart's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
