Alyson Handy (Olson)

My thoughts and prayers are with Gloria’s family and friends.  I remember Gloria with affection for her kindness and always smiling face. Seeing her family photo she had hardly changed with the years and still had that beautiful smile.  She played the violin in our Orchestra class and was talented in so many ways.  How blessed and fortunate she was to be living in the Holy Land.  Shalom.

Drew Hause

I don't think Gloria would mind continuing a conversation about Jewish-Gentile relationships at Southwest, and with Terry's permission would like to do so. As we get...uh...more mature, our minds are not as nimble, but we usually have more time to think, and I have been. Unfortunately, my memory is a bit foggy as Susan Hadley had to remind me that Gloria was at Hale Cook, possibly with Mrs. Erickson in the 3rd grade and Mrs. Jones in 4th, but certainly with Miss Jacobi (5th) and Mrs. Hunter (6th). I think Richard Koenigsdorf was in our classes also. What other Jewish kids?

While passionately Jewish, Gloria never responded to antisemitism with hostility. I likely said something insensitive or just plan stupid, but she was always gracious, as were our other Jewish classmates. I wrestled with Dan Waxman (he was better), recall being in Gary Rubin's home (he was smarter), and first met Steve Case (ALOT better looking) at a party in Michele Manne's basement in the 7th grade. Howard and I played drums together in the Bingham orchestra, and remained friends. I think Gurin sat right in front of Hause in several classes, and that's how we became close. 

My point is that it all seemed natural and comfortable, at least for me. I was in Jeri Krinski's home - did I mention her dad wouldn't let her go out with me? :) - just before Passover and her mom very graciously and patiently explained to this Baptist boy the significance of the celebration, table settings, wine and meal. The memory of her kindness, and Gloria's friendship, stayed with me and helped shaped my mindset. Interestingly, when I was in practice at St. Luke's (a hospital with a past history of anti-semitism), Irene Bettinger (she and Scott Lerner were the first Jewish physicians to join the staff) referred a number of Jewish patients to me, including Richard's uncle.

Maybe the Concert Choir doing Handel's Messiah was the best picture of Jewish-Gentile relations; Jewish kids singing about the Mashiach yet to come, Christian kids about Emmanuel who had, and secular kids who just liked to sing.

Please share any thoughts, that honor Gloria's memory. Gerry might have an interesting perspective as our only (?) Mormon classmate, who certainly fit in and was liked by everyone.

Debra Luke (Singer)

I have "sadly" enjoyed reading all of your thoughts.  This loss was particularly meaningful to me.   Unfortunately, I heard the news at my sister' husband's funeral when my sister received an e-mail from Gloria's older sister who was a high school  friend of hers.   Although I did not hear from Gloria in many years, I had always regarded her as “lifelong” friend.  As very little girls she lived across the street from me on 72^nd and Washington so she was the first contemporary that I remember.  We went to Hale Cook, Bingham and Southwest.  But as others have said, it was the Judaism that connected us.   My best and most precious memories are those of Hebrew School, B’nai Brith and Saturday morning services.  What fun we all had.  Sometimes I wish I had embraced it as she did.  Regarding "If I Fell"  she and I wrote a song "Since I came to USY I thought maybe someday I would make it really great" ...  That's all I remember.   I had always thought that when I retired, I would like to go to Israel and if I did I would have an opportunity to see my lifelong friend.   Perhaps she would have remembered the rest of the song.   I am deeply saddened that I will not have a chance to do that.

Kevin Brennan

Fran Frank (Yeddis)

I have had a hard time wrapping my head around Gloria's passing.  She is someone I just always knew...from Sunday school (probably in kindergarten) to Hebrew School to Bingham to Southwest to BBG (Gan Dafna) to orchestra (we both played violin).  She and I were connected in so many ways, and our friendship was always special.  After she and David made aliyah to Israel, we would write letters, and then in later years emails, always sharing our lives and especially those of our kids.  The last time I saw Gloria was in December, 2005 when I was in Israel and spent a day at her home.  We talked endlessly comparing and contrasting our lives as well as those of our children, hers being Israeli born and raised while mine are Colorado born and raised.  Although our lives had taken very different paths, we shared a deep understanding and appreciation for each.  Being with her, I got such a strong sense of her love for Israel and the commitment she and David had made.  Her children and grandchildren were definitely her pride and joy.  She will be deeply missed by all.  She leaves a void in all our hearts, but we will alwayrs remember her smile and the joy she brought into our lives.

Terry Greenberg (Krause)

I wanted to share remarks made by Shelli (Rashbaum) Frimer's son Zev at the recent brit (circumcision and naming ceremony) of his newborn son, Ofir. Note while reading that Gloria's "Jewish" name was "Golda," which is Yiddish for "gold," and the Hebrew language equivalent would be "Zahava."
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Ofir is the name of a place which was an unlimited source of gold, which was used in the Temple [I Chronicles 29:4]. The gold mined in Ofir could be used for a variety of purposes, from those which fall into the category of “the golden calf” to those designated for the sanctity and purity of building a “dwelling place” for the Shechinah [G-d’s presence]. King Solomon took Ofir, a neutral parcel of land, and turned it into a means of sanctifying G-d’s name, by using its gold to make the vessels of the Temple.

Our prayer, inherent in this name, is that just as Ofir produced a wonderful abundance, so too our son will realize wonderful traits, blessed abilities and a great personal wealth. We pray that these qualities be channeled into positive and blessed avenues, to achieve sanctity and to adding goodness to the world of the Holy One blessed be He.

There is an additional factor which brought us to choose the name Ofir. A few months ago, our beloved Aunt Gloria, Golda Zahava, died. I loved her personality and her qualities to the depths of my soul. And she loved us, “the Frimer children,” so much. She took pride in us as if we were her own children, without jealousy or competition. She was equally proud of my children, always loving to hear about Shira and Netanel’s clever comments, laughing and enjoying them. Even during the difficult and challenging times which were Aunt Gloria’s lot, she never lost her optimism, her love of life or her love of the Land and people of Israel. At Aunt Gloria’s unveiling, Uncle David read some of the enlightening e-mails she had written, which reveal a spiritual power which we can but envy.

With the name Ofir, the place from which Gold was mined, we will remember our Aunt Golda Zahava, of blessed memory, who was so dear and beloved to us.

Robyn McCaughey (Grauer)

Lovely tribute.  Wishing Gloria's family endless blessings.

Eva Sibala (Blair)

Such wonderful words about a wonderful classmate.....God's blessings to all whose lives were enriched by her!

Terry Greenberg (Krause)

NOTE: I am posting these remarks made by Gloria's husband, David Magence, in commemoration of the first anniversary of Gloria's passing:

Next Shabbat [Saturday] will be the first anniversary of Gloria’s death.

Even in the difficult times that Gloria (and I) experienced, Gloria was able to maintain an aspect of goodness. The two most difficult things in our years together were the deaths of the twins [Gloria's firstborn children] and the deterioration in Gloria’s health. In both, Gloria sincerely accepted the Divine decree. I never heard Gloria ask why God had done these things to her.

As difficult as Gloria’s condition was, especially during the last year and a quarter of her life, she never lost her concern for others. Gloria often clearly expressed her hope that she was not being too much of a burden on me, and she tried her best to prevent her condition from interfering with my ability to get out and do things.

On her last Thursday of life, Shoni and Sherwin [her sister- and brother-in-law] visited Gloria in the hospital. There was Gloria, requiring an oxygen mask, and still inquiring after the welfare of Shoni’s parents.

In so many ways, Gloria was a true daughter of our Matriarch Sarah.

May Gloria’s memory be a blessing for all our family and may she continue to live through her positive traits, her offspring and her influence on others. 

Terry Greenberg (Krause)

Today on the Jewish Calendar, 2 Kislev, is the 2nd annivesary of Gloria's passing. May her soul ascend to the highest heavens! I'm posting this, because today as well, Gloria & David's daughter Tehiya gave birth to a baby girl! To me the timing is just so...AMAZING, I wanted to share the news. Traditionally, babies are named for a deceased relative, so I'm very curious what the baby's name will be, and I'll post as soon as it's available. Thinking of you today, Gloria! And smiling!

UPDATE: The baby's name is Aiden Tehilla. Aiden: transliteration of (Garden of) Eden; Tehilla: which is the Hebrew equivalent of "Glory," in memory of Aiden Tehilla's grandmother. Photo is of David Magence, Gloria's husband, with the baby.