Gloria J. Whiddon

Gloria J. Whiddon (nee Gonsiorowski), 78, of Hammond, Indiana passed away peacefully on Wednesday February 28, 2024, surrounded by family.  Gloria was the daughter of the late Valerian and Eleanor (Witke) Gonsiorowski.  She attended St. Casimir School and George Rogers Clark High School until graduating in 1963.  She married her husband George in 1964 and was a devoted wife for over 38 years. 

Gloria loved being a mother and grandmother and her greatest joys came from spending time with family, friends, and neighbors.   She will always be remembered for creating a fun and nurturing home for all.  She was the mom who drove the kids around and was always present at their games and activities. She was a great cook and loved to bake and share her cookies during the Christmas season. During the warm weather, she loved spending time in the swimming pool and tending to her beautiful flower gardens. Later in life, she kept busy by helping to care for her two grandsons.   From the time they were born, she played an essential role in their lives, and they continued to be her pride and joy until the very end. 

Through the years, our mom’s strong faith and invincible spirit helped her to care for and endure the loss of her two sons and her husband and later helped her to battle her own failing health. When others may have given up, our mother kept pushing through. Our hearts and home are lonesome now, but our mom has taught us what resilience and perseverance truly look like, and she leaves behind a legacy of love and strength for all.

Gloria is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Anthony Calabrese; her beloved grandsons, Zachary and Tyler; sisters, Valerie Ensign, Linda (late Steven) Orban; brother, Martin Gonsiorowski and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents Valerian and Eleanor (Witke) Gonsiorowski,  husband George, her sons, Keith and Christopher Whiddon, her brother Ronald Austin, her sister Donna (late James) Wells and her mother and father-in-law, Owen and Margaret Litchfield. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice or give to someone in need.