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BORN
1925
DIED
2016
Gloria McNerney Obituary
Gloria peacefully passed away Saturday evening, April 16, 2016 in the company of her husband, Tom, and other family members. She spent the preceding two weeks visiting with family and friends. Though seemingly asleep, she would touch the hearts of visitors with humorous quips and poignant expressions of love contributed to conversations.
Mrs. McNerney was born in Seattle on May 28, 1925 to Walter Ellis and Gertrude (Carriveau) Ellis. She attended West Woodland Elementary School and met her future husband Thomas McNerney while roller-skating at Greenwood's Ridge Rink. During the Second World War, Gloria worked at the Port of Embarkation. She and Tom took advantage of Tom's military leaves, marrying in 1944 and beginning their family in 1945. As her children matured, Gloria went back to school and enjoyed painting, taking long walks and travelling the world with Tom. She was a loving wife, dedicated mother, dear friend, gifted artist, and curious student of both social and earth sciences. She took delight in surprising others with unexpected gestures of thoughtfulness, which continued into her last few days on this earth.
Gloria is preceded in death by her second child, newborn daughter Kathleen McNerney, her eldest son Michael McNerney, and granddaughter Megan McNerney. She is survived by her husband Thomas McNerney, daughter Jeanine (Greg) Butcher, son Jim (Karen) McNerney, daughter Deanna (John) Myers, son Mark (Cheryl) McNerney, as well as eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
A gathering to celebrate Gloria's life will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 2:00 pm at the patio level of Madison House, located at 12215 NE 128th St, Kirkland WA, 98034. All who knew Gloria are invited to attend, to share memories, and maybe learn something new about an amazing woman who blessed so many lives.
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Guest Book at www.Legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gloria McNerney
Sponsored by The Family.
Larry Temple
April 13, 2025
Gloria McNerney passed away 9 years ago today. I still think of her often and will never forget her infectious laughter. She was so proud of her family when she was alive and we can only hope she looks down upon those still living with much love as a guardian angel. God bless you always Gloria.
Carolyn McNerney
May 16, 2021
I'm grateful for her life and the love she gave her family.
Larry Temple
April 13, 2019
I am often in remembrance of Gloria McNerney three years after her passing. I workout at the Harbor Square Athletic Club which is next door to a mall where Gloria exhibited her paintings years ago. She never boasted about her talents, but they were certainly evident in the work she displayed. My mother was one of Gloria's longest friendships because they attended elementary school together and remained close until they passed. Eldeen passed last June and when the family sorted through belongings we found so many photos that brought back a flood of memories. There were the special holiday celebrations like Christmas afternoon at the Ellis family home with the McNerneys and the many Halloween nights we went trick-or-treating in their Greenwood neighborhood because my dad was always deer hunting on Halloween. Photos of our families camping near Deception Pass, visiting their home in Brinnon, and the Birthday Club when housewives got a night out leaving their kids under the care of their dads. The Temple family often think of the great times we had with the McNerney family like watching the firework display at Greenlake, picnics, wedding and anniversary receptions, dances at Parkers, visits to their home or ours where our folks spent so many evenings in laughter as they told each other jokes, rather than watch TV and long before the technology era. Times may have been simpler, but no less of a memorable time for which we cherish friends like Gloria, Tom and the McNerney family.
Carolyn McNerney
April 28, 2016
I learned so much about Gloria at the memorial last Sunday. What joy she had--and gave! I am very grateful for the legacy of love we have in the McNerney family.
Expressing thanks at Tom's 90th birthday party.
April 28, 2016
Adele
April 25, 2016
It is so hard to say "good-bye" to such a sweet, loving lady. When I was little, I remember her always dressing "so fancy", but was always on the floor playing with us. She was so busy, but always had time to spend talking; she seemed interested in me and what I was doing. She always made me feel important. She was amazing; so smart and always wanting to learn more, yet so down to earth. She saw the good in people: she saw the good in the world. She had such a positive outlook on things and never seemed to get flustered. One thing I will never forget is her birthday. It is three days before my dad's and every year when I was little Aunt Gloria would tell my dad he had to listen to her because she was older. I do not know when it changed but later he would tease her about her being older than him. Good-bye, Classy Lady. I love you.
April 24, 2016
Tom,
Karen and I so enjoyed traveling with you and Gloria in Senior Safari. You both added so much to the tours. You were gracious, friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable - a joy to be with. Gloria was always so lovely and interesting, a great companion for everyone on the trip. I remember following the OJ trial during a trip to Germany, not easy in that pre-internet time, but Gloria found a way.
We miss Senior Safari, but we are grateful for the opportunities it gave us to meet people like you and Gloria.
-Carolyn Keating
Larry Temple
April 23, 2016
For all of us who loved her, laughed with her and were undoubtedly touched by her beautiful smile and great personality, we knew she was special. How fortunate we were to enjoy her presence. God bless you Gloria and your loving family.
John bange
April 23, 2016
Always remember Christmas at your home with Tom, Micky and Jeanine...still see the big train set in basement across from St John's
Out on our walk in the neighborhood 2 days before your final trip to the hospital.
Deanna Myers
April 20, 2016
Dear Mom,
I love you so deeply. I miss you, and yet I feel you within every part of me. You saw the best in everyone, and that is the lens I choose to use to see all in this world. You gave so much to so many. You are such an integral part of my life, anything I am able to contribute to this Earth and those living here will have you as a co-contributor. You will continue living here through your example shown, humor shared, compassion given and wisdom taught. We had many plans we didn't get to, and that's wonderful, an indication of your engagement in this life until it was time to go. Enjoy all that you discover which we Earthbound humans are not privy to, released from the confines of the basic 5 senses we rely on. I will attempt to honor you in all that I do. And I will smile often remembering our goofy humor in the mundane. We had a lot of good laughs in the midst of most anything.
Thank you for everything, a million times over.
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