Maria Gloria Contreras

Maria Gloria Contreras (neé Galindo), Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt/Tia, and dear friend to all, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on September 9, 2023 at the age of 90.

She was born on April 15, 1933 in Brawley, CA to Jesus and Augustina Galindo. She married her soul-mate for life, John M. Contreras, in February 1959. Maria was known as “Gloria” to her family and friends. She loved to: cook (her roast with homemade gravy and tacos were legendary!), host family gatherings, fervently take pictures with her beloved camera, vacation with her daughter Sylvia and son-in-law Leo Hernandez, listen to  music by Nat King Cole, and dunk pan dulce (or a freshly glazed donut!) into a great cup of coffee.

Gloria kept in touch with many of her friends from high-school and college and was an avid letter writer. Gloria was always the first to wish her children Happy Birthday by calling them and then playing “Happy Birthday” on her portable keyboard. If a family member was ill, she promptly sent a get-well card, followed up by a phone call. But most of all,  Gloria embraced her role as a wife, mother and grandmother, and was extremely involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s life, including staying active in the school’s PTA. She was kind, thoughtful, compassionate, funny, and endearing; she loved making new friends. More importantly, Gloria gave her life to Christ during the latter part of her life and enjoyed having the Bible read to her.

Gloria is survived by her bereft husband, John, daughters Lillian, Sylvia, Kathryn, and Christina; son John, granddaughters: Chenine, Brittany, Annisa, Erika, Isabel, Brianna, and Victoria; grandsons: Joseph, Charles (Charlie), John Jr. (Johnny); great-grandson, Adan; great-granddaughter, Charlotte;  daughter-in-law Jeanette, sons-in-law Bob, Leo, and Roger; brother Joseph Galindo, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless  life-long friends.

Gloria is preceded in death by her sister,  Estella Battraw. Gloria was the matriarch of the family and will be dearly missed!