Gloria Jean Christiansen of South Lyon Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2024, at the age of 80. She was born on January 11, 1943, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to the late John Thomas Yura and Anna Yura. Gloria was preceded in death by her beloved aunt Rose Scala.

Gloria is survived by her son Davin Christiansen, devoted daughter Denise (Christopher) Werner, and sister Patricia Glendenning. Gloria was also a proud grandmother to her five beloved grandchildren, Alyssa Werner, Lauren Christiansen, Brendan Werner, Kendall Christiansen, and Trevor Werner.

Gloria grew up in the small town of Hopelawn New Jersey on a street where many of her aunts, uncles, and cousins lived as her neighbors. During her teenage years, Gloria and her sister Patsy enjoyed singing together with their bestie Estie (Esther) in a trio called The Stenos. After high school Gloria worked as a secretary and married Eric Christiansen. Gloria and Eric moved from Kinnelon New Jersey to Troy Michigan in 1978 and raised their two children Davin and Denise there. Gloria was not only a loving mother, but also an artist who enjoyed painting and you could find many of her original paintings hanging on the walls in her Troy home. She also enjoyed collecting antique furniture also found all over her 1980's home.

Gloria was a very active woman playing tennis, golf, bowling, and she was an aerobics instructor. Gloria loved cooking and gardening and for many years was a member and the President of the Troy Garden Club. When her children got older, Gloria worked several years at two jobs that she loved. She worked full-time in office coffee and vending machine sales at Modern Vending Inc. Additionally, she worked part-time as a hostess and manager at The Terrace Club, a restaurant in the Palace of Auburn Hills. After Gloria and Eric divorced in 1989, Gloria moved to Royal Oak, Michigan where she remained for the next 30 years until moving to South Lyon to be closer to her daughter as her health declined.

After retirement, Gloria enjoyed playing Bingo, going to the casino to play the slots, going to garage sales, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. She had a great love for all animals, taking in a few stray cats and dogs over the years. Gloria will be remembered for her gift of gab, ability to easily make friends, her hilarious sense of humor, and most of all a heart of gold and smile that lit up a room.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cambrian Senior Living for taking such great care of Gloria the past 3 years following her stroke. They became a second family to her.

Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Friday, January 19, 2024, from 4:00-7:30pm, and on Saturday, January 20th, from 10:00am-11:00am at O'Brien Sullivan Funeral Home in Novi, MI. A Memorial Service will follow the visitation at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Gloria's memory to The Michigan Humane Society .