Gloria R. Thomas, nee-Grey, passed away peacefully in her sleep during the early morning of November 21, 2023 at the age of 78. Gloria was much more than even a great wife, mother, grandmother, educator, community volunteer and world traveler. She lived life to its fullest. Born on Flushing Long Island, New York, Gloria was raised in Akron and remained forever a proud graduate of Buchtel High School. After beginning her studies at the University of Akron, she met the love of her life: Bob Thomas, a rival Garfield High grad. Bob and Gloria married after a brief engagement and immediately moved to San Antonio, where Bob finished his training in the U.S. Army to be a nurse anesthetist. Determined to complete her bachelor's degree, a move to El Paso found Gloria becoming a new mother, while studying at UTEP. Then it was on to Fort Irwin CA; and later Honolulu, where the growing family celebrated Gloria's graduation from the University of Hawaii. After the Army, the family returned home to Northeast Ohio and, soon after, Emily arrived. Bob and Gloria would live the rest of their lives in Lorain County. A stay-at-home Mom to her three children, Gloria always had her kids first. As Emily grew into pre-school, Gloria started a preschool at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Elyria to be with her. Later, she would become an award winning elementary school teacher in the Midview School District, where she taught for more the 35 years. During this time, Gloria earned a master's degree from Cleveland State and instructed hundred's of her fellow educators at the graduate level for Walsh University. She also started to travel to the beaches of the world with Bob. For the second half of her life, between cruises, bike trips and guided tours, they explored large parts of Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, along with nearly all of the 50 states. In between family, teaching and travel, Gloria volunteered for numerous worthy groups across the region. Each winter, she played "Elf Gloie" on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad's Polar Express. For years, you could find her as a Redcoat Usher during many shows at Playhouse Square; or, as part of the welcoming teams for visitors to Northeast Ohio at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. She regularly delivered meals to shut-ins for the Second Harvest Food Bank. In addition to everything else, bike riding was one of her great passions. She rode many times for the National Sclerosis Society's Annual 2-day run each August and helped raise thousands of dollars for that cause. Gloria also graciously gave many hours each month to the Lorain County Metroparks. And, just two weeks prior to her passing, she once again worked all day at the voting polls in North Ridgeville for the Lorain County Board of Elections. Gloria was a longtime member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Berea. Survivors include her beloved husband of more than 57 years, Bob; and their children; son, Andrew (Jackie); daughters, Ann Marie Foster (Scott) and Emily Thomas (Larry Dixon); grandchildren, Paul Bryan (Maddison), Alana, Mikayla Foster and Sawyer Foster; brothers, Roger Grey (Rosemary) ans David Grey (Evie Davis). She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Rose Grey. The family will receive friends 3:00-6:00 p.m. Friday December 1, 2023 at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Services 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57), Elyria. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday December 2, 2023 in the funeral home. The Rev. Gayle Katinella will Officiate. Burial will follow at Butternut Ridge Cemetery, Eaton Township. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Society 6155 Rockside Rd. Cleveland, OH. 44131. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com