Gloria Bebe Hansard

Gloria Bebe Hansard, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025, at the age of 103 in Bozeman, Montana. Born on May 22, 1922, in Osgood, Missouri, Gloria lived a life marked by love, dedication, adventure, and remarkable achievements.

Gloria grew up in Osgood and attended the small country school until 1936, when her parents lost their farm during the Great Depression. The family relocated to Kirksville, Missouri, where she completed high school in 1940 with a focus in home economics. After graduation, she began working for the telephone company as a switchboard operator, one of the most advanced technical positions of the era.

In 1941, Gloria moved to Los Angeles, California, with her brother Joe and sister Peggy, continuing her career with Pacific Bell. She excelled in her work and earned several promotions. Following her father Earl’s passing in 1943, her mother, Venice, joined the children in California, while her sister Helen remained in Missouri with her young family.

Gloria met her husband, Donald R. Hansard, at a social event arranged between phone company employees and movie studio staff. They married on August 17, 1947, and began their family shortly after. Their first son, Don Jr., was born in 1948. When Don Sr. was called to serve during the Korean War, Gloria cared for their young son on her own, showing the resilience and independence that would define her throughout her life. Once Don returned, they welcomed two more sons, Robert and Andrew. She became deeply involved in the PTA and supported her sons as they followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming Eagle Scouts. Gloria also balanced family life with work, including a position as a photographer’s assistant at Charis Studios in Hollywood.

Her generosity extended beyond her family. Gloria volunteered with Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, California, and supported Don’s career in the film industry, often joining him on location. Together, they traveled the world, from London to New York aboard the Concorde, and across six continents, with favorite destinations including Egypt, Australia, the Yucatán Peninsula, and most especially Portugal. They also enjoyed skiing in the Sierras and at Bridger Bowl, and sailing along the Pacific Coast, including Catalina Island. In 1996, Gloria and Don retired to Bozeman to be near their six grandchildren. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends in 2007.

Gloria’s talents and interests enriched every stage of her life. She was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, and knitter, known for stitches so precise they were as beautiful on the inside as on the outside—much like her. She nurtured abundant gardens, especially her cherished African violets and camellias, and filled her home with warmth through her cooking and baking. Homemaking was her true joy, and her impeccable attention to detail even earned her a blue ribbon for bed making at the county fair.

Her community involvement remained strong in Bozeman. She participated in senior center activities, including readers’ theater and fashion shows, and attended exercise classes well into her final days. Remarkably, she continued driving and delivering Meals on Wheels until the age of 97, embodying her independence and dedication to others.

Gloria also carried an adventurous spirit throughout her life. In 1956, she summited Mount Whitney with Don and their son Don Jr., a proud accomplishment that reflected her love for challenges and the outdoors. Even into her nineties, she traveled abroad, including a return to Portugal, and delighted in surprising people with her age. Longevity ran in her family—her mother and sister also lived to their 100th year—and Gloria lived independently and actively until just before her centennial year.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Earl Carver and Mary Venice Weston; her husband, Donald R. Hansard; her siblings Wood Westin Carver, Joe Carver, Helen Hoyt (and brother-in-law Hadley); her sons Robert and Andrew Hansard; daughter-in-law Petronel; and nephews Hadley and John.

She is survived by her son Donald Ray Hansard (Bridget); her sister Peggy Sweet (age 97); her dear friend and poetry partner Bob Yaw; grandchildren Erin, Julie, Elaine, Caleb, Nathan, and Nic Hansard (Rachel); great-grandchildren Evan, Natalie, Sienna, Lucy, Kira, Scarlet, and Evie; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends who loved her dearly.

In remembering Gloria, we celebrate a life beautifully lived—one filled with passion, kindness, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to family and community. Her legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew her.