Gloria Perez Gibson

Gloria Perez Gibson. Born March 18, 1942 in East Chicago, Indiana. Gloria passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024 in Falls Church, Virginia. Gloria was 81 years old. Her parents were Margarito Perez and Julia Kolibowski Cortez.

Gloria graduated from George Washington High School, East Chicago, Indiana and Northern Virginia Community College with an Associate of Arts Certificate in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management, Food Service Management. Gloria moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for the U.S. government, joining the Central Intelligence Agency 1963-1993. Gloria had a strong work ethic, was a champion of women in the work place, and served as a model to other women as they navigated office politics and promotions. Gloria traveled extensively and lived around the world in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

After retiring from the U.S. government, Gloria followed her dream of food catering. Gloria was an excellent chef, specializing in Mexican and French food and all kinds of pastries. Everything Gloria made was from scratch. Gloria was a deeply compassionate person, dedicated herself to country and others, especially the elderly and veterans. She was a longtime member of the Women’s Association of the National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., spending much of her time overseeing and working on the pricing, sorting, and displaying of items for the Association’s annual bazaar. She also served on the Women’s Board of the Ingleside Presbyterian Retirement Community and its Standing Committees for Health Center Visitation (Chair), Clothing and Resale Shop (Co-Chair), and the Ingleside Monthly Tea, in Washington, D.C. Gloria served for many years as an election officer/poll worker in Great Falls, Virginia and in Falls Church City, Virginia. In 2006, Gloria moved to Texas and volunteered to serve veterans, at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs South Texas Kerrville VA Medical Center. Gloria also served in support of the Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Hill Country Chapter Kerrville, Texas. In 2017, the Hill Country Chapter awarded Gloria The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Martha Washington Medal in grateful recognition of her outstanding service to the Sons of the American Revolution.

From a young age, Gloria experienced different cultures and perspectives. Growing up she lived in a house where many languages were spoken. Gloria’s father immigrated to the United States from Michoacán, Mexico. Her mother was born in the United States and spoke five languages. Gloria’s maternal grandparents emigrated from Eastern Europe entering the United States at Ellis Island, New York in 1912 aboard the S.S. President Lincoln. One of eight children, Gloria enjoyed spending time going to libraries to read and draw—and would continue her love of reading throughout her life. Gloria read books of all kinds, especially biographies, fiction, politics, history, and science books including those by crime and suspense author John D. MacDonald, political

commentator and debater William Buckley Jr., historian David McCullough, and theoretical physicist Richard Feynman.

Looking for a new and challenging life, Gloria left the small town where she grew up and moved to Washington D.C. after answering an advertisement in the newspaper that asked if you wanted to work for the government and see the world. At that time, Gloria had graduated high school and was working as an inhalation therapist at St. Catherine Hospital, East Chicago. Gloria loved traveling around the world, meeting new people from all cultures, learning about cultural history and heritage, speaking Spanish which she learned from her parents, and trying new foods and dishes. She raised Irish and English Setter dogs, and had a deep love for animals. Gloria was a great dancer, avid movie watcher, chess player, and a forever learner. She enjoyed spending days in art and natural history museums—especially with family and friends, when they came to Washington, D.C. from out of town. Gloria excelled at photography, capturing events and people around her. Sunsets and outdoor portraits were her favorite subjects. Gloria was a long time conservative, Presbyterian, and believer in God.

Gloria is survived by her daughter Kimberly Nicole Gibson of Virginia, sisters, Dolores Perez, Missouri, Esther Paul, California, Linda McDonough-Perez, Vermont, brothers Julian Perez (Sandy) Virginia, Edward Perez, California, and many nieces and nephews. Gloria is preceded in death by her husband Albert Lee Gibson, her parents Margarito Perez and Julia Cortez, stepfather Frank Cortez, sister Margaret Sallas, and brother Ralph Perez.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at National Presbyterian Church (Chapel of the Presidents) 4101 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016. A reception at National Presbyterian Church will follow.

Memorial donations in Gloria’s honor may be made online, by mail, or by calling the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Information can be found at https://t2t.org/donate/. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.