Obituary of Gloria Marie Eveleigh

Gloria Marie Eveleigh, 74, of Beaumont, Newfoundland passed away on October 31st at the Palliative Care Unit in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Long Island Community Centre on Saturday, November 4th, from 1pm to 3pm. Sister-in-law Hope Rowsell will lead the occasion. Cremation has taken place, with burial to take place at a later date. Family and friends are welcome to gather in remembrance of Gloria. In light of the recent spike in cases of COVID-19, we ask that those in attendance please exercise appropriate precautions to protect our loved ones. Those traveling to Long Island via ferry can find the current schedule online at https://www.gov.nl.ca/ti/ferryservices/schedules/f-lbisa/.

Gloria was born in Ward’s Harbour, Beaumont, Newfoundland to proud parents Roland and Daisy Rowsell on August 30, 1949. Gloria was passionate, honest, and straightforward. She was always ready to cheer her loved ones on in times of celebration, or to lend a hand - or her ear - in times of trouble. She was an extraordinary homemaker who took enormous pleasure in showering her family with selfless, unconditional love. Her sanctuary was her home at the crest of the harbour with its million-dollar ocean view: the most wonderful place on Earth. There she happily spent her days alongside her soul mate and best friend of nearly 40 years: Alonzo Rideout. Gloria was a fiercely proud fisherman’s wife. She revered Alonzo’s hard work at sea and always ensured he was pampered upon his return home, with a meal sure to be waiting on the table, no matter the hour. Gloria was an expert cook; her famous homemade bread will be forever renowned. She was a member of the Long Island Quilters and enjoyed Saturday nights playing darts with friends. She could often be found gathered around her dining table with grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friends, indulging in a board game or a round of Skip-Bo. Gloria was a lover of the simple things: animals, flowers, and her backyard birds - and a diehard fan of Elvis Presley.

Gloria will be forever loved and remembered by her husband Alonzo of Beaumont, Newfoundland; mother-in-law Genevieve Rideout of Beaumont, Newfoundland; daughter Trudy (David Ward) Eveleigh of Toronto, Ontario; daughter Tracey (Mike Rhodenizer) Eveleigh of Kilbride, Newfoundland; and son Cory Eveleigh of St. John’s, Newfoundland. With precious memories will remain her four lovingly spoiled grandchildren: Alexander (Kirsten Peckford) Cuff of Beaumont, Newfoundland; Sefora (Erik) Fox of Victoria, British Columbia; Harry (Marissa Pittman) Cuff-Ward of St. John’s, Newfoundland; and Victoria (Willis Wiseman) Eveleigh of Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Also by four much-loved great-grandchildren: Ethan Fox, Arthur and George Cuff, and Amelia Ward. Gloria is survived by her siblings: Lewis (Hope) Rowsell, Alma Paddock, Shirley Hillier, Brian (Roxanne) Rowsell, Harold Rowsell, Dulcie (Keith) Oake, and sister-in-law Kay Rowsell. A special place in Gloria’s heart was held by nephew Myles (Amanda Barrington) Oake, who spent many hours keeping her company. Gloria also leaves behind a large circle of other cherished brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of the Rideout family, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends - all treasured, and too blessedly plentiful to list.

Gloria was preceded in death by her dearly beloved first husband, Curtis Eveleigh, of Comfort Cove, Newfoundland. She is predeceased by both of her parents, by father-in-law Howard Rideout, by older brothers Ross Rowsell and Jack Rowsell, by little sister Brenda Heath, and by nephew Shannon Heath. She is also predeceased by her furry, four-legged, “fourth child”: Zoey the shih tzu.

Gloria met the end of her life at Corner Brook’s Palliative Care Unit, after receiving a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Not for the first time, Gloria’s bravery was her family’s strength. The family of Gloria Eveleigh would like to express our eternal gratitude to all nurses, physicians, and staff of this unique and special place. Your boundless compassion and earnest guidance through Gloria’s final days was a gift to us all.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations be made to the Palliative Care Unit: a sacred space where strangers gather in grief and leave as forever friends. Donations can be made through various means by visiting www.westernhealth.nl.ca/make-a-donation and by specifying that your donation is intended for palliative care.
 

The way she held your hand,
The little things you planned.
Her memory is with you yet,
That's someone you never forget.

When she is far away,
You'll think of her each day.
And you know she'll wait for you,
That's someone you never forget

Others may pass your way,
And let you think their love is true.
But you know that they'll never replace,
The one that waits for you.
- Elvis Presley