Gloria M. Jewett, 78, of Burlington, died Sunday, May 14, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.
Born Feb. 9, 1945, in Iowa City, she was the daughter of James Monroe and Maxine Kathryn James McCarl. On Sept. 14, 1963, she married Gary Leon at the little brown church in Nashua, Ia.
She was a graduate of Mount Pleasant Community High School in 1963. She then attended Iowa Wesleyan College and graduated as Summa Cum Laude, with her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education in 1981.
Gloria was a teacher for 28 years and worked for AEA and Burlington School. She was awarded the Walmart Teacher of the Year and also was given special recognition from UMW.
Gloria was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Burlington, Sarah Circle, Circle of Friends, Card Ministry, Pastoral Care, Birthday Club, Des Moines County Historical Society, Friends of Burlington Library and the Des Moines Retired School Personnel. She was a board member of the Kings Daughter & Sons. She also helped with Communion delivery and was a hospice volunteer. Gloria enjoyed sewing, making cards, reading, gardening, and visiting area parks with her grandchildren. She also liked doing sudokus, spending time with her family and friends especially with her grandchildren. She collected Precious Moments and loved going to garage sales and tag sales.
Survivors include four children; Brian (Melissa) Jewett of Solon, daughter, Lisa (Jeremy) McDowell of Ottumwa, daughter, Alicia (Paul) Ekermans of Papillion, Neb., and Darren (Mitty) Jewett of Overland Park, Kan.; seven grandchildren, 14 nieces and nephews; and ex-husband, Gary Leon Jewett of Burlington.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Carolyn Anderson and June Norton, and four brothers, Robert, James, William and Frank McCarl.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
The memorial service for Mrs. Jewett will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023, at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Jack Edmisson officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held at The Loft on Jefferson following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and the Burlington Library.