Gloria J. Farrey

Gloria J. Farrey, age 80, a resident of Wheaton, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. She was born September 3, 1942, in Chicago to Henry & Veronica Woldanski.

Gloria was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She grew up on the North Side of Chicago, attending St. Stanislaus Kostka, and upon graduation, studied business at DePaul University. She began working for the Northern Trust Bank, where she soon met and married Patrick Farrey, who would become her husband of 51 years.

Together they moved their growing family to Mt.Greenwood, where she met many of her dearest and lifelong friends. Gloria was a person of deep faith. Even from an early age, she relished hearing about God's love for her from the nuns. Later, she joined a neighborhood Bible study where she learned of her need for a personal Savior. Gloria committed her life to Christ and serving the Lord. She attended Oak Forest Bible Chapel working with children's Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and serving on several service committees.

Gloria felt the Lord's leading to relocate her family to Wheaton, IL. For years she kept a notebook with sketches, a list of the family's needs, and ideas about how she would use her new home to serve the Lord. With her plans complete, she had it built on a hill and called it "Shepherd's Way." Gloria attended Wheaton Bible Church and later Bethany Chapel, where she was again involved with children's ministries. Each summer, hundreds of neighborhood children looked forward to attending Backyard Bible Club at her home. At Bethany Chapel, she continued to grow in her faith, participating in Bible studies, serving on church committees and was Deacon of Women's Ministries. She was known to be a woman of prayer and would faithfully pray for her family, friends, and community.

For more than ten years, Gloria worked at Greentree Preschool. She was passionate about teaching her 4-year-olds, often decorating her classroom with elaborate murals and planning activities and Bible stories to introduce the weekly theme. Wheaton and the surrounding area are now filled with thriving adults who have warm memories of "Mrs. Gloria's" supportive and love-filled class.

Gloria had many interests and hobbies. She cherished spending time with the many friends that she cultivated during her lifetime. Gloria loved camping, traveling with her family, reading, cooking, and entertaining. But more than anything, she loved the Lord and sought to serve him daily.

She is survived by her five children, Patrick (Sharon) of Phoenix, AZ, Jeffrey (Deanna) of Plano, IL, Kelly (David) Nelson of Wheaton, IL, Tammy (Christopher) Mays of Wayne, IL, and Carrie West of Wheaton, IL; 16 grandchildren: Ryan (Taylor), Keegan & Nolan Farrey, Anthony (Jennifer) Gallandez, Sara (Sean) Rash, Jeffrey Farrey & Tyler, Annika & David III Nelson, Cameron & Brenna Mays, and Kyleigh & Peyton West; six great-grandchildren: Anthony Jr. & Kyle Gallandez, Blake Farrey, Kaylee, Olivia, & Alaina Rash.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Patrick M.; her great-grandson Jackson Farrey; her brother Henry "Mike" Woldanski; and her son-in-law Peter West.

A visitation will be held Monday, January 23, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.