Gloria Hanna
Gloria Elizabeth Hanna, age 96, passed away on Friday October 25, 2024, in her home in San Antonio, Texas. Golie, as her parents called her, was born on October 26, 1927, to parents Elizabeth (Ellie) and Otto Hirsch on a farm near Shiner, Texas.
As a young girl Gloria helped her parents harvest cotton and corn on the farm. She only spoke German up until she entered the 1st grade. As a middle schooler her family moved to a house in the nearby town of Gonzales, Texas. She graduated from Gonzales High School in 1945. She then attended and earned an associate degree of business administration from the Durham College in Austin, Texas. She took her first job as an administrative assistant for an oil company located in downtown Gonzales.
Shortly thereafter she met, dated and then married Victor A. Hanna on January 2, 1947. Before starting their family Gloria worked in the Civil Service as an administrative assistant. Gloria and Vic were blessed with seven children. Vic was in the Air Force for 21 years, a career that kept their family moving. The family made five major moves during these 21 years, including a stint in Japan, finally settling in San Antonio, Texas. Here Gloria focused on raising the kids until they were old enough to mostly care for themselves. She then started an administrative assistant career at St. Mary’s University.
She first worked for the Head Librarian and later the Dean of Student Services. In 1992 Gloria was bestowed the Marianist Heritage Award by the University. This was an acknowledgement of her life reflecting the ideals of the founders of the Marianist Family of Mary. During her St. Mary’s career, she made the stressful transitions from a manual typewriter to electric and eventually the PC. On January 15, 1997, Gloria retired after 20 years of service with St. Mary’s University. Gloria and Vic were happily married for 64 years before Vic’s passing in 2011. Gloria and their daughter Mary personally cared for Vic at their home for approximately 10 years while dementia slowly took his life.
Gloria was a devout Christian and Catholic. She credited her mother Ellie with instilling her faith early on as a child. Gloria was a member of the Holy Rosary Parish Altar Society and the school’s Parents Club, as well as a Catechism Teacher. She regularly attended daily mass. Gloria’s favorite prayer was the Lord’s prayer, The Our Father.
Gloria was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to the many. She was beautiful, kind, patient, loving, compassionate, and sweet. She was a fantastic cook, talented seamstress and health conscious. She was forever humble and selfless, always putting the needs of others before her own. She was generous yet frugal. Simply put, she was genuine goodness.
Gloria died from complications from cancer, in her home, while under the personal care of her three daughters, Jackie, Mary and Geralyn. The family extends a sincere thank you to Dr. Nathan Hales for his professional, compassionate care of their mother.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Victor A. Hanna; son, Patrick O. Hanna; grandson, Joshua D. Hanna; and younger sister, Elizabeth Fischnar. Gloria is survived by her children, Arthur D. Hanna (PJ), Gregory Hanna (Suzanne), Jacqueline Myers (Keith), Damian G. Hanna (Esther), Mary T. Hanna and Geralyn Soliz (Robert). Also, her 20 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. As well as her youngest sister Kirby Marek and numerous nieces and nephews.