In Loving Memory of Gloria Ann Filipiak

Gloria A. (Rubio) Filipiak, age 78, passed away on May 6, 2018. She had lived with her family in Colorado Springs for three and a half years, having previously resided for many years in Louisiana.

Born on January 20, 1940 in Hot Springs, New Mexico to Jose and Margaret (Padilla) Rubio, Gloria was one of seven – five girls and two boys. She graduated high school and attended nursing school before meeting her husband, Jerome, when he was stationed with the Air Force in Roswell, NM, where she lived with her family. They eloped on June 24, 1961 and continued to live in Roswell for a while before moving to many different places with the Air Force. She became a stay-at-home mom, taking care of her daughters, Deadra and Nancy, while Jerome served two tours in Vietnam. After her daughters got into high school, she went back to work, first as a nurse and then as an activities director for a nursing home. Even in the last part of her life, the nurse in her remained; when another member of her social club had a medical emergency, Gloria was the first one out of her chair and at their side, ready to help.

Gloria never met an antique store or a garage sale she didn’t like; she had a knack for finding treasures and refurbishing them, bringing them back to gleaming life. Jerome, who called her Lovey Dovey, used to say that everything she brought home cost 25 cents. She was remarkably talented and creative, creating furniture for her daughters’ doll houses –  rocking chairs, coffee tables, couches, tiny framed pictures, candelabras made of crystal beads. She had a closet full of lamp parts and could make a lamp out of almost anything; when she wanted a unique lamp, she just took an old one apart and made something brand new. She also made bug-houses for her grandchildren, beautifully adorned little screened-in cottages where a captured bug could dwell for a little while before they let it go again.

Gloria had a wickedly dry sense of humor and never lost her sense of fun. She was delightful company, always, fun to be with and easy to talk to. She loved Mexican food and margaritas. The first time she went to a Broncos game she jumped up and down and cheered when they ran onto the field; from that moment on, she was a fan for life. She was an amazing mother and an even more phenomenal grandmother, always ready to get down on the floor to play with her little ones.

She is survived by her daughters, Deadra O’Donnell (Brian) and Nancy Sbravati; her grandchildren, Taylor O’Donnell (Chris), Brianne Luftig (Chris), Caitlin O’Donnell, Caley Shade (Ashley), and Chasten Sbravati; her great-grandchildren, David and Axel Luftig and Carter Shade; her sisters, Mabel Smethers, Josie Rubio, Mary Camlin and Helen Hilburn; her brothers, Joe Rubio (Nina) and Lloyd Rubio, and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Gone before her are her parents, Jose and Margaret, and her brothers-in-law, Edwin Camlin and Roger Smethers.

Gloria’s family plans to gather and celebrate her life this summer.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Pikes Peak Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Services are under the direction of Return to Nature Funeral Home, Colorado Springs, Colorado www.returntonaturecolorado.com