Gloria Louise Ewolski McDonald's Obituary
Educator, writer, volunteer and lifelong advocate for education and reading, Gloria L. McDonald died peacefully surrounded by family in Gainesville, Florida on Nov. 11, 2016. Throughout her 86 years, she was of service to others: her husband of 63 years John Kirk McDonald, her three children Katherine Anne, John Jr. and James and her grandchildren Martin and Colin Hirshland.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Katherine (Grdic) and Frank Ewolski, Gloria received her primary and secondary education through the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s then innovative Major Work program for gifted students, which fueled her lifelong love for literature, theatre, all things French, opera and classical music.
Gloria was the first in her family to attend college; she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. It was at Miami U. in her freshman year where she met her husband-to-be, John Kirk McDonald. They were married in Pensacola, Florida in June 1953 in a military ceremony at Saufley Field, where Kirk was training to be a naval aviator.
As a Navy wife, she followed her husband’s postings until the couple decided to move to Miami in 1956, ultimately settling in Coral Gables, where she was actively involved in the community for 35 years. She taught English at Coral Gables Senior High School and, after earning her Masters Degree in reading at the U. of Miami, she became a reading consultant. She was the reading resource teacher at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. For more than 20 years, she served as comptroller for her husband Kirk’s law firm.
Along with her husband and family, she travelled extensively in Europe, the U.S., South America, and became a regular cruiser to Alaska and the Caribbean. Upon retirement, she and Kirk moved to St. Augustine and then to Oak Hammock in Gainesville, Fla., where her volunteer teaching activities continued at Idylwild Elementary School. She also organized social events for the more than 450 residents at Oak Hammock.
Gloria was a long-term supporter of the Democratic Party and proudly cast her absentee ballot for the first woman nominee for U.S. President. She supported charities including the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, Theatre Arts League, the Vanguard School, the Florida Audubon Society, Sierra Club, St. Augustine Church and the University of Florida School of Music.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 18, 2016 at 9:30 a.m., in St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1738 West University Avenue. A reception will follow in the Parish lounge. Interment will be in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to University of Florida Foundation, memo to: School of Music support, c/o Dr. Kevin Orr, Box 117900, Gainesville, FL 32611-7900.
What’s your fondest memory of Gloria?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gloria?
Share a story where Gloria's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gloria you’ll never forget.
How did Gloria make you smile?
