Gloria Waity

Waity, Gloria Jean (Anderson) MADISON- Gloria Jean (Anderson) Waity, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, surrounded by loved ones present in both body and spirit. She was a truly remarkable woman who embodied success in all its many forms. Gloria was a devoted daughter and sister who was born to Walter Daniel and Doris Lucille (Casey) Anderson, who both preceded her in death on February 27, 1933, in Wausau. Gloria was the older sister of Donald Anderson, of Cameron, Wis., and David Anderson (deceased). As a young woman she grew to love the quiet solitude of nature as well as the active fun of exploring and swimming with her siblings and friends. Gloria also developed a love of reading and books and could always be found reading, swimming or trying to do both at once. Her passion for reading translated into a degree from UW-Madison in Library Science and propelled her into a career that revolved around libraries and literacy, especially for young children. Gloria took great pride in her role in the initial development of the libraries at Monona Grove and LaFollette High Schools. It was at LaFollette where she met her husband, Charles Waity and his two children, Charla and Charles III. Charles and Gloria were married on April 17, 1965, and together had a son, Andrew. Over the years her family grew to include many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gloria extended her family to include her daughters-in-law and the family of Delbert and Agnes Anderson and felt great joy in the blending of family and friends. While her family was of utmost importance, she balanced us with her sense of social justice and her activism dedicated to making the world a better place for all. Gloria was passionate in her dedication to increasing opportunities for everyone to have a book to read, encouraging adults to read to the children in their lives, public schools and libraries and helping various organizations and her church to provide services to the homeless and those in need. Whether working with an organization or simply doing a good deed she was constantly busy and engaged in helping others. Gloria was also committed to supporting those who suffered from mental illnesses and was ever the outspoken champion of the "underdog." As busy as she was, she still found time to enjoy life in many ways. From the simplicity of any book, to working to try and keep her plants blooming and her garden growing, to travelling around the state, the country (she and Charles visited 49 states) and the world (visiting over 10 countries). Gloria was never still. She included family in her travels whenever possible and found joy in travelling to Rhinelander for the past 20 years. Her family wants to extend our heartfelt thanks to the exceptional people and staff in Rhinelander and Marshfield who supported us and helped ease her passing. Even though her physical heart failed in the end, her emotional and spiritual heart will live on in all who knew her. Gloria will always be remembered as someone who was always seeking to improve and learn. As modest as she was about herself, she took great pride in the people around her and believed the best about others. She opened her heart to everyone and always sought to bring people together. The final chapter of her life was written as she died doing what she loved so much in a beloved place with family, extended family and friends. There will be a celebration of her life at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 203 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church, AMI or The Foundation for Madison Public Libraries. However, the book will continue each time her family and friends gather, the sun sets (or rises) over a lake or a book is read to a child. May you finally find peace and serenity Gloria, mom, aunt, grandma, and friend. Success To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. Ralph Waldo Emerson Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420