It is with great sadness that we have to announce that, Gloria Stephenson (nee Ruddick), our beautiful, brave and clever Mam was tragically killed on the 16th of May. 

Gloria was loved by so many. She was a much loved mam, mother in law, grandma, great grandma, sister, sister in law and friend.

She was a brave woman who lived life to the full, determined not to be defined by the adversity she faced at different times in her life.

She was intelligent, and carved out a successful career in the NHS while bringing up her four daughters at time when women were still very much expected to put their domestic responsibilities above their personal ambition.

Gloria was respected. She had been brought up a `colliery lass`, brought up to know right from wrong, and, when she witnessed something she knew to be wrong, she did something about it.

She was fit and healthy. She could be seen most days walking her beloved country lanes around the Tunstall area.

Gloria had years left to live, to love and to be loved. We are utterly devestated at her untimely and violent death.

However, like our Mam, we refuse to allow this to define us. And so, we invite her many friends to join us at Saint Leonards Church, Silksworth, at 2.30pm on Friday, 13th June where we will mourn her death, but, we will also celebrate her life because after all it was a life well lived.
 

Family Flowers only but donations in her memory will be very much appreciated. These will be divided between  Saint Benedict`s Hospice, and, the Great North Air Ambulance service who tried so hard to save our Mam. And since we are celebrating her life we, her family, are wearing bright, celebratory colours and we respectfully invite you to do so too.