She was indeed a dedicated mother, grandmother and adoring wife.

That is how Gloria Elizabeth Tuzo shall be lovingly remembered by family and friends.

Gloria, who passed away peacefully, was laid to rest last Thursday, January 5 at St Mary’s Church in Warwick.

A funeral service was held in her honour at Christ Church Devonshire, where Canon James Francis affectionately described her as a “diva”.

Gloria was a loving mother to Livingston and Deborah. She and her husband Ross, whom she married some 67 years ago in 1949, dedicated many of their formative years to their children’s intellectual, spiritual, and emotional development.

The fruits of their labour as parents was brilliantly manifested upon the procurement and receipt of the academic and professional qualifications.

Livingston specialised in the field of education, and subsequently retired a principal; Deborah operates a successful practice as a qualified dentist and orthodontist.

Gloria was born in Sandys on Tuesday, September 20, 1927 to Alice Maude DeShields and Wilfred Livingston Furbert.

As Maude was employed as a live-in maid, Gloria was raised by her loving grandparents, Mr and Mrs William Binns, who accompanied her every Sunday at St James Church.

Upon graduating from West End Primary School, Gloria attended the Berkeley Institute where she acquired a sound education and specialised in commercial studies.

After she graduated, she acquired her first job as a bookkeeper at the United Feed Store, owned and operated by the Stowe family.

As a teenager Gloria was involved in many social organisations, one of which was the United Warwick Progressive Club led by the late Martin Wilson.

At her funeral, Norbert Simmons, the Provincial Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Bermuda, described Gloria as a dedicated servant and a mentor to many.

She joined the Juvenile Lodge of the Independent Order of the Oddfellows Manchester Unity as a youngster.

As an adult, she was appointed Provincial Grand Master, head of the Hamilton District.

The leadership and public speaking skills she gained there, combined with her interest in parliamentary procedure, enabled her to expand the role so she became an ambassador in social welfare and international fellowship.

On her appointment as noble Grand Master she travelled to the UK each year on behalf of the Loyal Mayflower Lodge.

She last represented Bermuda in 2012, at the bicentennial celebrations of the Odd Fellowships in Manchester, England.

Contingents of Odd Fellows from around the world were in attendance.

In a broader social context, Gloria was an active supporter of the arts, most notably as a member of the Bermuda Ballet Association.

She will always be remembered and deeply missed by the wide circle of family and friends that impacted her life.