Gloria Mae (Patten) Beighley

Gloria Mae (Patten) Beighley, 94, died Tuesday October 26, 2021, at Pride TLC under the care of Interim Hospice. Her children were often at her side, sharing stories and laughing over past adventures. She never lost her sense of humor and enjoyed a lively banter with her caregivers.

Gloria was born August 4, 1927, in Cornell, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Arthur and Julia (Svitak) Patten.  On June 8, 1948, she married her high school sweetheart, Walter Beighley, who preceded her in death on July 15, 1987.

Following her graduation as valedictorian in 1944, Gloria turned down a scholarship to become a teacher or a nurse and followed her own path. This path took her first to Chicago, Illinois, where she lived in a women’s boarding house run by the Salvation Army and earned her way taking shorthand and typing. Returning to Cornell when her hours were cut, she worked as a key punch operator and did filing in the office of the local paper mill. Gloria reconnected with Walt, got engaged just before he left for the Army, and married him when he completed his service as part of the occupational forces in Japan. After marriage, she left work to focus on her family.  Her children were fortunate to have her at home when they returned from school and fondly recall her homemade bread and sticky buns. She sewed beautifully; kept everyone’s feet warm with her knitted slippers; decorated many walls with counted cross stitch art pieces; fed us well with her Thanksgiving stuffing, and Christmas fudge, caramels, and rosettes.

Gloria was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Wausau, and volunteered at Wausau Aspirus Hospital Gift Shop for several years. Her younger years included golf and bowling leagues. She loved traveling with family and friends by car, camper, bus, train, cruise ship, or plane, enjoying adventures from rustic to indulgent. We remember family gatherings full of laughter and fun telling tales of those adventures or challenging each other to Wii bowling, Cribbage, Rummy for Two, and Mexican Train dominoes. She loved padding her coin purse with the spoils of Lucky 13 and looked forward to as much time as possible at the Bridge table with her wonderful friends. She embraced technology by buying herself an iPad, first to show off pictures of great grandchildren; then as a connection to family and friends through photos, videos, email, Facetime, and messaging. When Covid made in-person Bridge gatherings unsafe, she joined friends for online matches. She liked passing her quiet hours doing jigsaw puzzles, playing computer card and word games, or listening to audiobooks. She amazed us by flaunting her ability to do crossword puzzles in ink! Gloria’s life story is one of resilience, filled with tenacity and an ability to hold her own. She was proud of her family and set a wonderful example for us all.

Survivors include a daughter, Judy (James) Dorn, Wausau; two sons, Daniel (Jody) Beighley, Plover; and Richard Beighley, Mosinee; grandchildren, Matthew Dorn, Phillip (Andrea) Dorn, Sarah Beighley, Alice Beighley; great-grandchildren, Jonathon, Henry, and William; beloved niece, Wendy Poppy, and nephew, Donald (Heip) Poppy; great nieces, Julie (Jeremy) Odekirk, Lynne Poppy, Marie (Brian) Behnke; great nephew, Jack. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Julie Poppy.

The family thanks the team at Pride TLC and Interim Hospice and Palliative Care for your compassionate care of Mom and the rest of us. Thanks for all the food, cards, calls, prayers and support from wonderful friends. Your contacts gave us strength and brought us peace.

A private family memorial service with live streaming is planned for 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau.  Pastor Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, Mom wished for memorials directed to First Presbyterian Church, Wausau, or the Salvation Army.  Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.petersonkraemer.com . Live streaming is available at Peterson Kraemer’s Facebook page or watch it later on their website.