Rev. Gloria (Little) Stromwell

The Rev. Gloria Regina Rose (Little) Stromwell, 78, of Oakland, MD, died peacefully on Monday, December 10, 2018, at her home. Born on December 18, 1939, in Minneapolis, MN, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Lillian (Hull) Little. Gloria grew up in Richfield, MN. She loved to ice skate and roller skate. As a teenager she worked at Hjalmer Drug store. She attended Richfield High School in Richfield, MN and was a member of their very FIRST Richfield High School Dance Line as well as a cheerleader for her school in 1956-1957. After high school she attended St. Catherine University in St Paul, MN. Gloria was forever a lover of books and reading and had a voracious appetite for learning! While attending college and afterwards she worked for Honeywell in Minneapolis. She married Steve Stromwell on December 26, 1959 while Steve was on leave from the Army. Shortly after they married they returned to start their new life together in New Mexico at the White Sands Missile Range. Gloria became a secretary for a defense contractor there. After the service they returned home from New Mexico where Gloria then worked for three years as Bob Culligan‘s executive secretary for the 3M Company in Saint Paul, MN. Gloria and Steve shared many homes and many fond memories over their 58 years together as they gathered SO many friends along their way! Gloria and Steve were voted “Best All Around” in their high school yearbook!

Gloria’s pastoral training began at The Sancta Sophia Seminary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma where she earned the title of practitioner in 1995 and was ordained as a minister in 1997. From 1993 - 2003 Gloria worked as a hospital chaplain and was later the head chaplain for Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland and for the Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Maryland. Her tireless hours, heart and soul along with her great leadership and warm bed side manner were especially present in her work in hospice care for the patients she pastored. She assisted the Rev Dr Chip Lee in many church services at St Matthews Episcopal church in Oakland, MD and became ordained as deacon there in 2005. On June 27th, 2009 she was ordained as an Episcopal priest. At St Matthews, Gloria’s outreach of pastoral support and love was felt by many. When she wasn’t going out of her way on Sunday mornings to welcome newcomers to the church you could find her setting up the food for the social hour following the services or just tidying things up in the church kitchen. Whatever Gloria touched she did it in true service to God and to show love to all people. She was trained in the art of Reiki and was a healer to her core. She will be lovingly remembered as friend to all! Her gracious manner, gentle spirit and brilliant smile are unforgettable!

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Stephen W. “Steve” Stromwell; daughter, Sarah Stromwell Gilbert; son, Scott Stromwell; son in law, Kevin Gilbert; grandchildren, Jonah and Norah Gilbert; siblings…

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ross Francis Little; sister in law, Dale Ordway; sister in law, Sue Townsend; brother in law, Dick Hallman; and a niece, Gina St. Angelo.

The family will be holding a celebration of Gloria’s life on June 22, 2019 in Excelsior, MN that will include a brief memorial service starting at 2:00 pm. The Reverend Elizabeth Joyce St Angelo, Gloria’s sister, will officiate. All are welcome to join us and share your best Gloria stories! For location and directions please RSVP either Amy, via email: amy_townsend@yahoo.com or call Elizabeth at (952) 999-0675.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Garrett County, PO Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550.