Gloria Jean Colander, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 11, 2017. Gloria was predeceased by her parents Beth and Donald Updike, her son Louis, and grandson Vincent. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Louis Colaner of the Villages Florida, a brother Craig Miller of Arizona, sons Michael and his wife Laura of New Jersey, Christopher and his wife Lori of New Jersey, daughters Cynthia Crawford and her husband James of New Jersey, Lisa Rutowski and her husband Joseph of Georgia, grandchildren Tina, Nicole, Joseph, Jake, Gianna, Nicholas, Cameron, Matthew, Daniel, Peter and Chloe and her great granddaughter Brielle.
Gloria was born in Red Bank, New Jersey on August 31, 1943, where she was raised in the quaint farm town of Colts Neck, N.J. She graduated from Freehold High School. Married Louis in 1962 and resided in the Borough of Freehold before moving to Brick Township where she raised four children. Gloria was employed as an Executive Secretary with AIG before retiring to the Villages in Florida in 2005.
Gloria loved her time in retirement, spending time with the girls,shopping, laughing, concerts and dancing in the square with her grandchildren. Gloria was the first in the family to make a “hole in one” on the golf course, and loved taking her grandchildren for rides in her custom golf cart. She enjoyed entertaining and made sure that all her gatherings were extra special and leave an indelible mark on your heart.
A celebration of life will be held at Beyers Funeral Home, 134 N US Highway 441, Lady Lake, Fl. 32159 on January 15th from 1 – 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Gloria Colaner to Moffit Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive, MBC-FOUND, Tampa, FL 33612.