Gloria Thompson, (nee-Diewald), 76, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025. She was surrounded by her family at the Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake. Gloria was born May 15, 1948 in Lorain.

A graduate of Elyria High School's class of 1966, Gloria began working as a ward secretary at EMH. As a devoted mother, she raised her girls, participating in their lives through Girl Scouts and other activities. Gloria spent several years caring for the children of local school teachers, leading her to become a teacher's aide and then preschool teacher. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping to develop the preschool program at St. Mary's in Elyria.

Gloria's faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She was involved with several churches over the years and found joy in teaching PSR at St. Mary's. Her spiritual also included time spent at the Church of the Open Door, Trinity Evangelical, First Baptist in Elyria and Abbe Road Baptist in Elyria.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband Allan Thompson; daughters Meredith Long (Barry) and Kim Scott (Walter); sister, Darlene Neptune; grandson, Ian Scott; great-grandson, Lucas Mahl.

She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Violet Diewald and her brother Tommy Diewald.

Those who knew Gloria will remember her warm presence and joyful spirit. She cherished time spent with family and friends---whether it was enjoying dinner out, watching Indians baseball games, taking trips to Amish country, or enduring Allan's "dad jokes" for 57 years. She enjoyed visiting museums and air shows with Allan, asm well as their travels across the country and even as far as Australia.

Her home reflected her personality: filled with collections that brought her joy—lighthouses, snowmen, and Kermit the Frog who always made her smile.

Visitation will be held on Saturday April 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Abbe Road Baptist Church, 670 Abbe Road North in Elyria. Services will follow at 12 noon. Burial will follow at New Russia Township Cemetery. Please send flowers to the church or make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elyria. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com