Gloria Joyce Follensbee passed away peacefully on March 26, 2022 in Westminster, California at the age of 89. Gloria was born to Paul and Ruth Banasky in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on October 24, 1932. She was 1 of 4 children. Following high school graduation in 1952, she attended vocational school to train for work in the airline industry. She was hired before even finishing the course by Trans Canada Airlines to work at Chicago's Midway Airport. Gloria was tall and thin and enjoyed doing some runway modeling in her spare time. In 1954 she met Robert (Bob) Follensbee who also worked at Midway, and on August 11, 1955 they were married. Later that year they relocated to Los Angeles, began a family, and Gloria worked to support them while Bob studied aeronautical engineering. In 1963 Gloria and Bob purchased their home in Westminster, California. Gloria worked part-time at Penny's while her 3 girls were growing up. She also created and sewed costumes for Westminster Community Theater for "Once Upon a Mattress" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The family moved to Brussels, Belgium with Bob's job in 1973, where she was active in the American Women's Club and also sewed costumes for some of their productions. Gloria and family returned 4 years later to the same house in Westminster. Soon thereafter, she hired on as a rejected items clerk at Bank of America. Already well known in the community, Gloria and banking were a good fit. She climbed the ladder to Assistant Branch Manager in Westminster, then was further promoted as she moved to branches in Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. She retired as a Senior Loan Officer in 1991. After retirement, Gloria continued to be active with her family and community. She once again sewed costumes for local theater groups where her grandchildren performed. She held officer and volunteer positions in Circle of Friends Senior Club until Bob's health required her to be home with him more, though she continued to travel with them. Gloria is preceded in death by her husband Robert, and is survived by her daughters Marilyn, Carolyn, and Alyson, their husbands Mark Hall, Mike Benton, and Len Mihealsick, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. The visitation will be Tuesday, April 19 from 1 to 4pm. The Funeral services will be Wednesday April 20, 2:30pm. All will be held at Forest Lawn, Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, California.
