Gloria Hamilton

Gloria Dawn Hamilton
October 21, 1947 – October 16, 2025
Gloria Dawn (Bogdanik) Hamilton, 77, of Holt, Michigan, passed away on October 16, 2025, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, just five days short of her 78th birthday. Born on October 21, 1947, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Janice Bogdanik and is now reunited with them, as well as her first husband, Phillip J. Hamilton, her brother, Mike Bogdanik, many beloved family, friends, and the Shelties she owned over her lifetime.
She is survived by her devoted partner of 24 years, Jerry Lapham, who lovingly cared for her through her health challenges over the past few years, and their Sheltie, BB. Also surviving are her daughter, Jennifer (Hamilton) Isbell, and son-in-law, Dave; her siblings Jacquelyn Patricia (Tom) MacDonald and Mark (Faith) Bogdanik; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her.
Gloria was blessed with a beautiful extended family through her daughter Jennifer's marriage to Dave, becoming a proud grandmother to Miranda Wellman (Jim), Emily Ward (Rob), Dave Jr. (Dora), and Breanna Isbell. Over the years, that love multiplied as she also became a great-grandmother and, eventually, a great-great-grandmother.
Gloria spent her early childhood in Grand Rapids and Rockford, Michigan, later living in Massachusetts and in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, while her husband Phillip served in the Air Force. Eventually, she made her home in Holt, Michigan. Gloria attended Michigan State University briefly, but dedicated most of her life to raising her daughter and being a homemaker.
She worked as a tray passer at Sparrow Hospital, made sandwiches at Cunningham Drug Store as a soda jerk, sold crafts and antiques, and later served as a personal care aide. She also lovingly cared for Janice in her mother's final years.
Gloria faced many challenges, including lifelong heart problems, early surgery, recovering from severe burns as a child and lymphedema later in life. She cherished simple joys – cross-stitching, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards (especially Hand and Foot), watching game shows, camping around Michigan and especially at the trailer at Sandy Shores, going to garage and estate sales with Jerry, and celebrating her favorite holiday, Christmas, with family.
She was active in Facebook groups, particularly Sheltie communities, and loved her Shelties over the years: Tippy, Josiah, Gus, Buddy, Maxx, and BB.
A memorial service will be held in the spring or early summer of 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gloria's name to the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN).