Gloria Ann Essie
September 23, 1930 - September 26, 2020
Obituary
MADISON - Gloria A. (Price) Essie, age 90, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Sept. 23, 1930, in Dalton, Wis., the daughter of Irwin Price and Verona (Spielvogel) Price. Gloria graduated from DeForest High School.
Gloria loved music and played many instruments, but her favorite was the piano. She played with her father’s orchestra and it was during that time that she met the love of her life, Arnold Essie. They married on Feb. 23, 1951. Gloria was a long-time member of Bashford United Methodist Church. Prior to retirement she worked in the banking industry.
Gloria is survived by her seven children, Clair “Zip” (Brenda) Essie, Janice (Chuck) Black, Jannell Essie, Jackie (Joe) Palfrey, Ronald Essie, Jennifer (Dwayne) Beck and Jeanette Essie; seven grandchildren, Shawn (Derek) Tessmann, Matt Mortensen, Cliff Essie, Chet Essie, Joseph Palfrey, Vanessa Palfrey and Aaron Beck; great-grandson, Simeon Smith; and sister-in-law, Judy (Paul) Moriarty. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; her parents; her in-laws; and two grandchildren, Meredith and Ryan Coursey.
A PRIVATE funeral service will be held. A public drive through visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Burial at Prairie Mound Cemetery will also be private.
Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or Bashford United Methodist Church. A special thank you to the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for the great care provided to Gloria. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Oct 3, 2020 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Gloria have been shared yet.
Memories
LS
Linda Shingleton
Other •
Dear Essie Family. Your Mother was such a sweet lady. Sending hugs to you during this sad time. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all. Linda Skelton Shingleton
MA
Mary Lu Anderson
Other •
A woman who was loved by many and had a life well lived. I will always remember her beautiful piano music and singing. Deepest sympathy to the family.
ST
Sandy Tiedt
Other •
Dear Essie Family, It was with great sadness that I read of your mom's passing. I will always remember her for her love of music, her talent and her beautiful voice. I always loved when you girls would sing together! I am sure God is welcoming her with a big smile and she's already joining the choir of angels in heaven. You will be in my heart, thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. Much love, Sandy & Steve Tiedt
JS
Jill Sweeney
Other •
Dear Essie's. My heart is saddened at the passing of such a wonderful woman. She was our choir director for years and no matter how you sang, at the end of the song her brilliant smile radiated throughout all of us in the choir. Even after she retired as choir director, she continued to coax the very best in me musically . The greatest joy was to be able to sing with her family as an "adopted Essie sister". When you finally got that nod from her after singing, as she sat out in the congregation, you knew you had done something well. I and my family will miss her so much but heaven needed a choir director and she is up there right now making sweet sweet music. My love and prayers to all of you.
"The other J sister" .
S
SUE
Other •
May Gloria's precious soul rest in peace
CM
Carole A. Mohr
Other •
Dear Zipper and Brenda,
Please know we are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Fondly,
Carole and Denny