Gloria Alice Clay

Gloria Alice Clay, age 89, of New Philadelphia, passed away in Union Hospital at Dover on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 following a period of declining health.

A daughter of the late Charles B. and Gladys M. (Beans) Shaw, Gloria was born in the family home at Tuscarawas on November 16, 1925.

She was a 1943 graduate of the former Tuscarawas-Warwick High School and on Valentine’s Day 1949, married the love of her life, Fred V. Clay. Together the couple raised two daughters and shared in 26 years of marriage prior to Fred’s passing on September 11, 1975.

As a Polio survivor, Gloria overcame any obstacle she faced. She took it upon herself to learn to drive following the passing of her husband and remained independent for as long as her health allowed.

She was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church at Tuscarawas and enjoyed teaching Sunday school for many years. Gloria also enjoyed working in her garden, canning her harvest and providing countless homegrown canned goods to family and friends.

She was an avid supporter of family functions, which included activities in which her children and grandchildren were participants. From sporting events to band concerts, Gloria could be found supporting those she loved.

Aside from supporting her family, she enjoyed outings with her “girls” to countless Bingo nights through the years and also enjoyed a good game of cards. Gloria was known for her love of the Cleveland Indians and spending time on her front porch swing watching cars pass by her house.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Debbie (John) Barr and Lisa (Rich) Clay-Trimmer all of New Philadelphia; her grandchildren, Jonathan (Allison) Barr, Joshua Barr all of Bakersfield, California, Launie (Aaron) Tice and Kolin Trimmer all of New Philadelphia; a special niece, Bernadette Blackstone of Dennison and her “adopted” daughter, Karen Hoover of New Philadelphia.

Completing the family are five great-grandchildren, Jordanne Barr, Aleck Barr, who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy, Kristian Barr, Jakob Barr and Matthew Barr as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her mother, father, and husband, Gloria was preceded in death by her step-mother, Faye Shaw; two sisters, Jane Haas and Susie Linhart and two brothers, Charles Fred Blackstone and Glenn Shaw.

The family will greet guests Friday, May 8, 2015, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Rev. A. Wallace Anderson will lead a service celebrating Gloria’s life on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 1:30 PM in the funeral home’s chapel. Following the service, all are invited to share in a time of food and fellowship in the St. James Lutheran Church Social Hall. Private inurnment will take place in the St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery at a later date.

Those wishing to do so may direct memorial contributions in Gloria’s name to St. James Lutheran Church Youth Group, PO BOX 336, Tuscarawas, Ohio 44682 or to the Dover First Moravian Church Music Endowment Fund, 319 North Walnut Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.