May 21, 2023

Gloria Parkinson, a strong and inspirational wife, mother, and grandmother, began her afterlife with peace and no pain Friday, May 12, 2023. Born August 8, 1938, this beautiful lady, who was a survivor of breast cancer, several strokes, spinal stenosis, and heart disease, lived a full life of blessings and challenges that provide lessons for those who watched her navigate life’s journey.

Gloria loved and valued her family, friends, and caregivers. She loved all things bling. She loved scratchy tickets, playing the lottery, and going to the races. She had the luck of her Irish Donahue family name. She loved being a snowbird, spending six months in Orange City, Fla. She loved having her hair done and always had a sparkle. She had a spiritual aura and was quite intuitive.

Gloria worked at Maggie’s Pub and the George Washington Hotel. She was a member of the Arms Club, Keystone Club, Moose Lodge 22, Eagles #687, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #927, and the Alpine Club.

Those who will miss her sparkly, spiritual personality include her caring and attentive husband, Duncan, whom she married April 1, 2000; her stepson, Eric Parkinson; her daughters, Cheryl Costello and Christine Shaw (Jim Heidler); her grandchildren, Anthony and Ryan Wade, John Beighle, and Haley and Elloria Shaw; her siblings: Bob (Karen) Donahue; sister-in-law, Mary Donahue; sister, Colleen (Kenneth) Lechner; sister-in-law, Mary Pankopf; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friends and caregivers, Dorothy “Dottie” Martin, Cathy Maxwell, JoAnn Rupnik, and Sharon Zets.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Matthew Donahue and Alice Welsh Donahue; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Duncan Allison; her brother, Matthew “Butch” Donahue; and her daughter, Cynthia Pilgrim.

Gloria’s remains will be interred at Washington Cemetery with a private family service.

A celebration of Gloria’s life is planned for Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in the VFW #927 in Washington.

Memorial contributions can be made to the hospice program of one’s choice, in Gloria’s memory.