Gloria Fastabend

Gloria Jean Fastabend
Gloria Jean Fastabend, 56, of Caldwell passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at her home. The daughter of Faith Fastabend and the late Arthur Fastabend, Gloria was born June 7, 1951, in San Diego, Calif., where her father was stationed with the U.S. Navy. She relocated to Idaho as an infant, and was educated in Nampa schools. She graduated in 1968 from Nampa High School, where she was active in drill team, debate and journalism. She was a delegate to American Legion's Girl's State. She earned a BA and an MA in history at Boise State University, where she was active in student affairs and was elected to the student body Senate.
Gloria began her teaching career in social studies at South Jr. High School in Nampa. She was involved in sports activities with her church as she was growing up, and coached basketball, cross-country and ski teams at SJHS. Later she taught government at Nampa High School, and regularly took delegations of her seniors to the "Close Up" program at Washington, D.C. She also coached the ski team and was involved with the student "Natural Helpers" organization.
She earned a second Master's Degree in school and community counseling at Albertson College of Idaho in July, 1987, and afterward became a school counselor at South Jr. High. She recently retired as counselor at East Valley Middle School after 32 years of service with the Nampa School District. She was honored by Boise State University as "Counseling Intern Supervisor of the Year."
She and her long-time best friend Jeri Gowen established "Harbor Lights Counseling," a private family mental health counseling practice in Caldwell. This endeavor was dear to their hearts, as they were able to work with their colleagues in assisting a great number of people. Another joint venture was the purchase of a vacation cabin at McCall in 1986, and a home on Lake Lowell in Caldwell. Gloria had acquired expertise in electrical wiring while finishing her first home in Nampa, and completed the wiring in both the newer houses as they were remodeled.
Gloria was an ardent blood donor, and contributed 115 pints before being sidelined by her cancer diagnosis. After that she tried to recruit new donors to fill in for her! She and Jeri were active with the Red Cross, and served behind the scenes as mental health team leaders in New York City after "9-11", and in Denver, Colo., during the wildfire season in 2002. Gloria was given the "Champion of the Human Spirit" award by Senator Mike Crapo.
Throughout her teen years, Gloria worked during summers for her Uncle Carl at Hoffman's Greenhouse and Nursery. Always a lover of sports and the outdoors, she especially enjoyed fishing on the annual family camping trips to the mountains. During recent years, she shared elaborate trips and adventures with good friends, pursuing her love of sports such as skiing, snow-shoeing, biking, tennis, golf, backpacking, kayaking and sailing, "4-wheeling" and snowmobiling. She especially enjoyed a deep-sea fishing expedition to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, where she caught salmon, halibut, and cod. She also loved fly fishing and her most recent expedition after retirement was on a lake with her new "float-tube," a retirement gift. She was an avid puzzle-solver, and her hobbies included rock collecting, woodworking, and travel. She was a kind, compassionate, generous person.
Gloria is survived by her mother, Faith; her brother, Gerald Fastabend (Deleice) of Boise; several nephews, nieces and cousins; her dearest best friend Jerilyn Gowen and family; and numerous cherished friends and neighbors.
Gloria wanted to especially thank Dr. Brenda Davies, OBGYN Associates of Caldwell; Dr. Joanna Cain of Oregon Health Sciences University Center for Women's Health of Portland; St. Alphonsus Cancer Treatment Center personnel Dr. Carolyn Collins, Dr. Stephanie Hodson, Dr. Timothy Sawyer, and many other cancer care staff and nurses, for 7 years of superb care and support.
A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell. A Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Vallivue Middle School, at the corner of 10th Avenue and Highway 55, Caldwell.
Memorials may be a gift to the cancer care center of your choice, or a commitment to donate blood to the Red Cross in Gloria's name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. S. Nampa, ID 83651, 466-3545.