Memorial for Gloria Trent

On October 10, 2021, Gloria and two friends, MaryFrances and Rebecca, were involved in a car-pedestrian accident. Gloria never regained consciousness from the accident and passed away peacefully on October 18th. We would like to establish a tribute tree at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI. With Gloria’s love of art, music, and nature, we feel this is the perfect way to honor her memory.

Gloria and Bill moved to Michigan so their son, Eli, could further his hockey career; and, as luck would have it, they landed in Grand Rapids. Gloria embraced our Northern ways by hitting the fun run circuit (some of those runs were in the snow), hiking along the lakeshore and exploring various museums in the Midwest. Because of her quick wit and kind-heartedness, she made close friendships in her new state. The beginning of 2020 saw a lot of changes in our lives; separation, boys off to college, and empty nesting. Thus began “Thirsty Thursdays” a time to get together with girlfriends for long conversations about childhoods, current struggles, and hopes for the future. There were tears at times, but mostly laughter and always wine. The Thirsty Thursday tradition continued even during a global pandemic, via Zoom, outside on porches, with masks, without masks and finally inside and in person when vaccinations became available. At dinner the night of the accident, the discussion centered around our next adventure and thoughts of the future. Gloria was looking towards a new chapter of her life with happiness and hope.

Gloria was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, where her mother and brother still live, on June 30, 1964. She stayed in town to attend Centenary College of Louisiana, graduating in 1986. Soon after graduating she moved to Austin, Texas. She embraced Austin life, enjoying getting together with friends, tubing on the Guadalupe River, working as an editor, jogging on the trails around Town Lake, and hiking to the top of Mount Bonnell for the wonderful views. She met and married Bill Harris on Town Lake in 1997. Their son Eli was born in 2001. Gloria, Bill and Eli began their northern adventure to Grand Rapids in 2016.