Gloria Spijker, age 95, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2021 at Kaiser Hospital in Walnut Creek, CA.
She was born on April 2, 1926 in Gracias, Honduras to Santos Estrada and Carmen Dominquez. After obtaining a teaching degree, she attended nursing school, becoming a Registered Nurse with a Post-Graduate Degree in Obstetrics.
She moved to the U.S. in 1952 after being recruited by a Hospital in Madera, CA, later transferring to a new position at St. Joseph’s Hospital in San Francisco. While in San Francisco, she met her husband, William V. Spijker and in 1956 they were married.
In 1958, as they started a family, she took leave from her job, moving to Walnut Creek in 1965. In 1973, she re-entered the workforce, spending the last 18 years of her career working at two Convalescent Hospitals as a Director of Nurses and Nurses Consultant. She considered these years the most rewarding period of her profession, affording her the opportunity to assist and give comfort to the residents and their families.
Gloria is preceded in death by her husband William. She is survived by her children, William Spijker (Frances), Marilyn Spijker Kroushour (Joseph) and Edward Spijker (Stacey). Gloria was blessed to have 6 grandchildren, Jason, William, Bridget (Mike), Alex, Stephanie and Samara and also, a great-grandchild, Miles. She loved them all dearly.
Visitation will be held at the Ouimet Bros Funeral Chapel, 4125 Clayton Rd, Concord, CA Tuesday, 11/2 from 4 PM to 8 PM with Rosary at 6 PM. The funeral mass will be held Wednesday 11/3 at 10:30 AM at St. Francis of Assisi, 860 Oak Grove Rd, Concord, CA, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1965 Reliez Valley Rd., Lafayette, CA.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be sent to the American Heart Association
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