Mrs. Gloria McDaniel, 1926-2023

Gloria (Lori) McDaniel Aug. 4, 1926 - May 21, 2023 Gloria "Lori" McDaniel, age 96, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2023, in Fullerton, California. Born on August 4, 1926, in Indiana, to Lester and Martha Rea, Lori lived a long life filled with love and adventure. She married Robert "Bob" McDaniel on December 16, 1944. They were married for 55 years until his death in 1999. Together they had two children, son Barry (d. 2022.), '67 and daughter JR, who survives her. She is also survived by her younger brother, Ron Rea, her nephew and niece, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-niece. As a young girl, Lori moved with her parents to California, where the family moved around, living in different logging camps across the state. She settled in Los Angeles in the 1940s, and in 1944 she and Bob met at the Hollywood Canteen. They married before Bob deployed to Okinawa. When he returned, they began their life together, moving around the country until finally settling in Fullerton. An active mother who always had time for her children, you could often find Lori out in the backyard with Barry and JR jumping rope, playing tetherball, riding bikes, and playing board games and cards (though she never much cared for the last two.) An eager volunteer, through the years, Lori was a leader for Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts. Though she never earned a college degree, Lori was whip-smart with a no-nonsense attitude. She read voraciously, going through several books a week. Lori was a skilled sewer, knitter, and needle-pointer. She was also a talented painter, and she worked in oil and watercolor, experimenting with different techniques and subjects. An avid golfer, you could find her on the links six days a week. A lover of animals, especially dogs, Lori was particularly fond of corgis. Her beloved corgi, Shali, was her constant companion in the 90s and early 2000s. Lori and Bob traveled the world, visiting countless places, from China to New Zealand to Egypt to the UK and throughout Europe. She continued to travel far and wide with friends and family after Bob's death. Though she traveled around the world, she always had a soft spot for Maui, returning there many times over the years. Lori was a longtime supporter of St. Jude Medical Center through the Golden Hearts Community. She was a regular volunteer at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center. She was a valued member of the Fullerton community. As per her wishes, the celebration of her life will be private, but donations can be made in her name to Alzheimer's Association in lieu of flowers. Her family would like to give special thanks to the caregivers at Morningside and Park Vista in Fullerton for their exceptional care over the years. Lori will be deeply missed by all who knew her, including and especially her family and friends whose lives she touched with her wonderful spirit.

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