Gloria Jean Dearden

Gloria Jean Dearden passed away peacefully on July 2, 2020, in her home in Lacey, Washington. She was born August 15, 1932, and was adopted as Gloria Jean Jessee by the parents who raised her from infancy, Eugene and Jessie Jessee, in St. Joseph, Missouri. She lived for a short time in Denver, Colorado, with her aunt and uncle after the death of her mother, and moved back to St. Joseph after the death of her aunt. She graduated from Benton High School in St. Joseph in 1950, and married her high school sweetheart, Charles Lee Kirk soon after. She and Charles had five children approximately 18 months apart so that at least two children were still in diapers until 1958. Gloria and Charles divorced in 1965, splitting the children between the two parents. She married John Francis Dearden in 1965 and they moved soon thereafter to San Francisco with two of the Kirk children. Gloria bore another son with John but they divorced in 1967, after being separated for two years. Gloria held several jobs and was always improving her job skills. She retired to live in the state of Washington after working in the transportation division of the State of California. She was very proud that she was able to get a job in a male-dominated field in a time where women were encouraged to stay in female jobs. Gloria loved traveling in her RV, and her little dog. She still cared for her yard until the age of 78. She had many interests during her lifetime, including ham radio and square dancing. She will be remembered for her fighting spirit, practicality, being able to stretch a dollar to house and clothe her children, and reading, especially mysteries. Gloria was preceded in death by her second daughter, Charisse Loraine Kirk, of St. Joseph, Missouri, in 2015; and is survived by her children, Jeannie Ellen Vaughn of Bremerton, Washington, Dawn Allison Miller of Ayr, Iowa, Carey Scott Kirk of Goodyear, Arizona, Elliot Charles Kirk of Lacey, Washington, and Kenneth John Dearden of Daly City, California; and numerous grandchildren. If you would like to make memorial donations, the family would appreciate you considering the Olympia Amateur Radio Society, PO Box 2861, Olympia, WA 98507, or a local charity of your choice. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.