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Patrick O’Connor uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
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I met Gloria in the spring if 2003 In Victoria BC at a writers conference. We happened to sit beside each other as Ellenor Woktel(Sp.) from the CBC radio show Writer’s and Company interviewed the late Irish writer Nuala O’ Faolain. We had a long exchange before the talk began. My wonderful wife had died 9 months earlier. The talk was very meaningful. She had recently won the Governor Generals award for her book, A Song for Nettie Johnson. She autographed a book for me and we said good bye. Tonight l was reading the signed book and decided to goggle her. Sad to hear she died. What a lovely woman and monent in time We’ll chat again in heaven Gloria. Peace, Pat O’ Connor, London On.
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The family of Gloria Sawai uploaded a photo
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
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J Sinclair posted a condolence
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Deepest sympathies to Gloria's friends and family. Gloria was one of my instructors at Grant MacEwan in the mid '90s. She was a great influence on me and to this day I still think of her classes and advice she gave me on my writing. She is, in a way, still shaping the work I do. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to tell her that.
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Fay Martin posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
To Naomi & Kenji I am so sorry to hear that Gloria has died. I spoke with your mom a couple of months ago, just on a whim picked up the phone to connect. She reported some limitations but seemed in good space. I hope she was centred and happy for her last bit of time on earth. If I were at a refreshments time after her funeral, what I would say to anyone who would listen was that she was an inspiration to me at an early age, and again later. She taught me English in Grade 10, and she was a gifted teacher. Dramatic. Quirky, as it said in the obit. Verging occasionally on the outrageous, particularly by the current standards of Camrose Lutheran College. (The obit didn't mention she'd taught there, but I am witness that she did. ) We reconnected in Calgary in the late 1970s. You two were part of that: send me your e-mail if you'd like to share memories. I am sorry that Gloria no longer walks the earth. It is a lesser place for her loss. But she will continue to live robustly in my heart and mind, and I will be in touch whenever I want or need to. I hope that you two will also have her in your lives in whatever way you need for her to be there. She was a wonderful woman.
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Audrey Scott posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Deepest sympathy to Sawaii/Ostrem families from Norman Grue family. Gloria was a wonderful lady and will be dearly missed by many.
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Kim, Dave and Karley Skaret posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
We were extremely sad to hear of Gloria’s passing. We will miss her laugh and unique joie de vivre approach at all of the family events. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and all of the other people she inspired. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Kim, Dave and Karley Skaret
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Rueben Grue posted a condolence
Sunday, July 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you. The few times I spoke with your mom were moments of joy. She was always so friendly to me, even though we hardly knew each other (my father, Oliver, and Gloria were first cousins).
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Tina Bafaro posted a condolence
Sunday, July 24, 2011
My condolences to Naomi and Kenji.I had a wonderful night out with Gloria the week prior to her passing.As usual we had interesting conversations and more than anything we laughed an awful lot. I will miss her greatly but so honoured to have really known her.
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Myrna Simonson posted a condolence
Saturday, July 23, 2011
My sincerest sympathies to you on the loss of your loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Myrna Simonson, CLC student of Gloria.
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Marilyn Wiens posted a condolence
Saturday, July 23, 2011
My deepest sympathy to Kenji, Naomi and all the family. Gloria was a delightful friend, whose laughter filled encounters and piercing questions will live on in my memory always. She loved me enough to ask the hard questions and to share her own trials over the past 20 (or so) years. I will miss her so much, and am so grateful for the time that I had with her. She loved all of you so much and your names were always on her tongue.
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Vangie Bergum posted a condolence
Saturday, July 23, 2011
I am saddened to hear of the dead of Gloria. She was inspiration for me...in her spark for life, and in her writing. Her parents were good friends of my parents, and I know that had great times together. Her mother, Mrs. Ostrem, was my friend too. Thank you Gloria for your laughter and peacefulness. I am glad to have known you.
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Beth Day posted a condolence
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thank you for sharing Gloria with us. When I saw the announcement I was saddened to lose her but all I could do was smile as that was how I knew her - she always made me smile. She will always be a very special lady in my heart. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
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Andrew Fraser posted a condolence
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Dear Naomi and family My deepest sympathies, I knew your mother from her time living at Stillpoint House of Prayer and then she attended Edmonton Quaker meetings. Gloria spoke at Library Association of Alberta Conference in 2003. I will miss her great sense of humour and then I run into her when I was living in Old Strathcona from 1999 to 2010.
