Gloria Killian
Age 86 Resident of San Jose
With sadness her family must announce that Gloria Killian passed away peacefully at home, with her daughters Karen and Suzanne at her side, on December 15 2022, at the age of 86. Gloria was born the only daughter of Dutch immigrants, Harry and Borghild (“Marion”) DeLange, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gloria was the devoted Mother of Jim Killian ( Janice Love), Chris, Karen Bunton (Brian) and Suzanne Hughes (Richard). She was Grandma Gola/Grandma/Mama to Joe and Alex Killian, April Sappington, Sierra and Forrest Powell and Katie and Jack Bunton. All of her family will so miss the energy she put into caring for and worrying about them.
Harry, Marion and Gloria moved to San Bruno from Salt Lake City shortly after Gloria started high school. Gloria dreamed of becoming a nurse and attended school to meet that goal until she became ill with pneumonia. Fate must have had a different plan for her. Gloria went on to work at Pan American Airways where she met her husband-to-be Joe Killian. Married in 1959, Gloria and Joe lived in Marin County until moving to San Jose in 1963, where Gloria would live the rest of her life. In San Jose Gloria lived on Pepperwood way, where her children grew up, at the Villages and at Brookdale Sr. Living. Gloria worked for several insurance companies, including Mission and Homeland, where she made friendships that lasted to this day.
Gloria was a devoted 49ers fan. With her good friend Viola Fegan, she was a season ticket holder at Candlestick and attended two super bowls during the Niners' glory years. Her children all have vivid memories of Sundays with Mom yelling at the TV for the Niners' D and cheering on Super Joe and the team.
Gloria was a strong, proud woman who was selfless in her love and care for her family. She was quick to laugh and had a quirky sense of humor. Our pain is assuaged by the memory of her devotion to us and our well-being, her bright eyes and her beautiful smile.
Upcoming Service: Three Flames, 1547 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA, Saturday, 11 February, 2023 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.