My dearest mother, You will always be the queen of my heart. You legally adopted me, and took care of me all your life. I grew up under your care and became your child and grew up along Cathy and Gerald Blache. When you last saw me, you hugged me and kept hugging me and crying. I knew it was because you were so happy to see me and touch me. When i learned about your passing, i became so emotionally grieved and could not stop crying because i diid not only felt helpless, but orphaned once again. I will make sure to always stay in touch with my sister Cathy Blache renamed Brown, and her children and other family members as well. I will always keep asking the lord to remember you in his kingdom until we meet again.A daughter who you adopted, is now your son. Mom, your undying love that i hold so precious will never go away. You fed me and you clothe me and gave me a bed to sleep on. You and your family watch me grow up into the family. Now it is my turn to show gratefulness. I will always keep thinking about you even when i grow old until death. All i need is your blessings. I believe in the lord with all my heart and i thank him for placing me into your care. I miss my brother Gerald and my sister Cathy. Mom you can rest in peace now because it is well with my soul.
From your son Mawasi.

My big sister, Gloria, was approved by Almighty God! Wasn't that awesome!!! She was created in His image, and she was the apple of His Eye. She did not choose God, but HE chose her and HE is pleased with her - His most precious creation.
She was approved by God, unconditionally! Regardless of how many mistakes or falls she may have had, she always got right back up and held her head up high. She did not allow anyone to get into her space to bring strife into her life. And boy, having spent considerable time with her, I certainly had to respect her position. Every morning when she prayed around 5:00 AM, her sessions would start and there was a certain amount of tranquillity and peace within the house. The serenity, the peace and love during her prayer sessions were overwhelming to say the least.
Yes, My Sister Gloria, was a true believer. She stood strong in her beliefs and thoughts, knowing that not only had she been chosen, but was one approved by Almighty God.
May She Rest In Peace!!!

By: Her Little Brother Michael "Bunny"
With Love! 5/7/21

My dear Aunt Gloria, you always made me smile, not because you were preparing something delicious for me to eat or making a cucumber salve for my sunburn, but because you took care of the little details and took the time to talk and listen with love. Rest In Peace my Dear Aunt

I can't quite remember my first interaction with Aunt Gloria but as she told it, I was showing kindness to someone (at around 8-9 years old) that she witnessed from afar at church. That small interaction drew her to me and my life hasn't been the same since. Aunt Gloria adopted me as her own granddaughter and took care of me in and outside church. From keeping me warm at church, to spending time at her home, to that special juice formula, to movies and even dropping me to after school classes, Aunt Gloria embraced and loved all of me and I all of her. Aunt Gloria had a certain energy and vitality about her. It was moving and it was infectious. She will forever be remembered for her kindness, selflessness, her sharp tongue, and wit. It saddens me that Aunt Gloria won't be around to see me graduate after inspiring me to live out the calling God placed on me but I know she is proud of me and will see it all from above. My family and I are forever grateful to have lived among a gem. To Aunt Gloria's daughter, granddaughters and extended family thank you also for allowing us to experience piece of the love she shared with you! This is a sad time but what is grief, if not love persevering? I end with Psalm 147:3. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." - Love Azaria, Allison, O'Brian Wilson

I've only met gran gran a couple of times, but I will never forget her. For years I've heard stories of this amazing woman and, I must say they didn't disappoint. She was every bit of the fiery woman that I imagined. I had the pleasure of picking her up from the airport on her visit to the States. Often, first meetings set a tone for future encounters, with this being no different. I was nervous, scared, and tired, but that didn't take away from the excitement I felt. Her sweet and caring demeanor almost made me forget that I was holding my breath the entire time, but she put me at ease. Within an hour of meeting her, she was able to see the authentic me and that means more than anyone could have ever known.

That holiday season was the best one in years. Momma Kathy knows that I celebrate for the food but I can skip over the rest. But the laughter, smiles, and great company had this old Grinch enjoying it. As I write this, I can't help but smile because her words rang true. I can only imagine the lives she's touched and changed. Thank you gran gran for allowing me to be one of those people. I've never before met someone with an inextinguishable light that to this day is only shining brighter.

Gloria, you will be at my breakfast table every morning as I use the coffee cup you gave to me as a birthday gift some years ago. Its inscription reminds me that you cannot underestimate the power of a woman filled with caffeine and prayer.  Love You.....Rest in Peace 

Your loving Sister-in-Law

I thank God for the opportunity to get to know my aunt better during these few months that my wife and I shared with her. It made me realize that I should have taken more time to get to know her better, sooner. 
My Aunt Gloria had a flair for colorful things. She had an eye for beauty. She took pride in her home and was very meticulous in caring for those things she acquired. 
I remember she would always make sure we got the things that Aunt Bessy would send for us when we were growing up and she always kept in touch through out the year.
She loved to eat mostly sweet things, loved to drive or go for drives, and loved to have pleasant people around her. She loved to go to church and praise God. She ensured that her heart was right before God and left everything in HIs hands.
Family was very important to her as she did her best to know everyone, greeted them warmly, and took care of them to the best of her ability. This is seen by the many pictures she kept of the family members.
During her last days she called the names of all her family members but she especially called her big bother Andrew her daughter Kathy, and her grandchildren.

Kathy, I still remember your Mom from our high school days..tall, elegant and stately. She wore her uniform with such honour and she didn’t miss a beat with anything for you and your brother. I admired her a lot! One good person can touch more hearts than we’ll ever know. Celebrate her lasting legacy! Wishing you and the entire family comfort today and always.

As the youngest brother of Gloria and one who has spent lots of time at her house, what I remember the most is that when my Best Friend - Dennis Williams would visit me at her house, her first question to him would be: "You want something to eat? Dennis would never say No! She would jump up and fix Dennis a plate of food, which he never refused. She was a good cook and he would eat it all up. Of course he would have a drink too! As I sit here, I am grieved by her passing and will always love her - unconditionally, RIP my dear! 

Gloria Angela Blache nee Dupigny born on Christmas Eve - December 24th....My Mother who will live on in my heart. A woman who gave the foundation on which my whole life is built. My Mother's core motivating force was LOVE and it was her love that has had a profound impact on the essence of who I am. A calling to live a life of service and to help make the world a better place. She was my mother and father, my best friend, my insides! She was my safe place.
I will miss our talks, as she was one of the few people I could tell anything...no judgement! She would quietly listen then share a similar experience and how she handled it. I will miss us standing in the kitchen as she taught me about healing herbs and pass down old remedies while teaching me how to cook. Then as I had children, watch her pass it onto them also.
How do you sum up a mothers life in a very few words, and for those of you who know me, well you know I love to talk, but today I want to share with you just a little of her journey in life and the impact she had on the people fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of crossing her path in life. A mother who loved and served the Lord with all her heart and soul.
My cousin Dawn Woodley was the first of the many young girls that my Mom took in and helped raise, along with Betty-Lou Lezama, Marilyn, Lisa Dookie while I was still a child living with her. Then after I left and got married then later re-located to Florida, she still continued sharing her home with many others, that I never got to meet and ending with Azaria her "adopted" daughter from her church. She also considered Jasmine, my brother Gerald's girlfriend another one of her daughters who would go walking around the Savannah with her to keep fit. She loved all these young ladies, and had the pleasure of watching them grow and blossom. 
I thank the Lord that due to the Covid pandemic we had the pleasure of having her live in Florida with us for a year and got to experience so many memories that will stay with us forever. During one of our many talks, I asked her what was her biggest regret in life and I was surprised when she said that as a child she was unable to take advantage of the opportunity her Godmother presented to her to play the piano. I told her it is never too late and we can organize that for her while she was here in Florida. Unfortunately we were unable to bring this to fruition as the government sent a plane to bring people home. I was just amazed that having to be a single Mom to Gerald and myself and watching her handle all the curve balls life threw her way, that not being able to play the piano was her biggest regret. She saw all her life's ups and downs as learning experiences, which she handled alone and with grace...never once complaining.
Her siblings! She loved all 9 of them and as with any large family she was closer to some more than others....all that knew her, also knew of her special love for her brother Michael "Bunny" Dupigny. I remember fondly of Aunt Bessy sending care packages to us...it was like Christmas in the middle of the year. My Aunt Marina undeniable sense of style as she shared wardrobe, perfume and jewelry every visit with her.
As a result of her large family, she was blessed with nieces and nephews that impacted her life in a positive way. I never thought that she would out-live my brother Gerald and we worried that she would be alone at the end. How wonderful God is that my cousin Allison would step up and help manage all her finances with the help of her sister Joanne. That Ozzie would pitch in to help renovate her home while she was in Florida, that Stacia would go pray and bless her home at her request and all the others who pitched in.
Then there is my wonderful cousin Steve who moved in so she would not be alone...there are no words to explain to Clarissa - Steve's wife, the gratitude and love we have for her for the care and love she extended to my mother. The long hours and sleepless nights that were endured this past month especially. Singing and praying with her on her final night while holding her hand until she uttered her final words "I'm tired, I'm ready to go Home", sending her off as she would have wanted to go to meet her Father! 
Let us remember that she was on loan to us and that God has a greater plan for her.
Mom you will always be in our hearts and minds forever more. This is not goodbye, you have gone to a reward that you have earned many times over. You were a giver and never a taker, a peacemaker, a mender, a quiet inspiration.
A mother and grandmother beyond peer and there is no greater praise than that!