Gloria Edith Lawrenz, 92
Gloria Edith Lawrenz, 92
June 29, 1932 – May 14, 2025
Service: June 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson, on the shores of Flathead Lake
Gloria Edith (Piccin) Lawrenz, was a remarkable matriarch who has peacefully and honorably departed from this earthly life. Her larger-than-life presence will leave an indelible void in the lives of her many devoted loved ones.
At the age of 92, Gloria gracefully made her way to heaven after a quick bout with cancer. Gloria was the picture of health, youth and timelessness up until her very last days. Gloria left us peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, in her sleep in beloved Montana home surrounded by her devoted children.
Born in West Springfield, Mass., in 1932, Gloria was the daughter of a true Italian family who had immigrated from Vittorio Veneto, Italy, to the United States after World War I. Her parents founded a historic bakery which is still in operation today on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield.
She always shared many stories of growing up as a young girl in this culturally rich Italian neighborhood. Gloria and her family were very proud of their Italian heritage and it showed.
Gloria Edith Piccin graduated from West Springfield High School in 1950 and married Robert “Bob” Thomas Gibson in 1954. Together they had four beautiful children: Celeste, Roberta, Judith and George.
Years later, in 1969, Gloria met William “Bill” Robert Lawrenz who would become the long time love of her life. Together they both embraced their second chances by forming a blended family with six children, including her four children and Bill’s two children, Laura and Curt.
In this bold union, they decided to pioneer a new life for themselves and their children by moving west to Evergreen, Colo., in 1970, where they established their “New Horizons.”
After a short time in Colorado, Gloria and Bill had another child, named Gloria. The family then embarked on many business and travel adventures, including an ice-cream shop, a carpet shop, a country music bar, a thriving real estate business, and many trips to favorite Ports of Call destinations.
After exploring in their family motorhome, Bill and Gloria finally settled in Montana and purchased a home on stunning Flathead Lake in 1979. This was the beginning of an epic era of family summers on the lake that lasted more than 45 years.
These special family gatherings were an anchor for their family of seven children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. These summers are filled with memories of large Italian family dinners, Tortellini Sundays, boat rides and nights around the fire.
Gloria’s legacy will live on in a lifetime of memories and love created by her positive personality. She taught us everything about life, patience, strength, love and family.
Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Virginia Piccin; her late husband, Bill Lawrenz; and beloved two older brothers, Gino Piccin and Dino Piccin, along with her cousin, Nini Kroll.
Gloria is survived by her younger sister, Teresa Ouimette; her lifelong best friend, Shirley Reid; her five children, Celeste Gibson, Roberta “Ruby” Gibson, Judith Gibson (John Kiefer), George Gibson (Shauna) and Gloria Arpasi (David); Bill’s children, Curt Lawrenz and Laura Armstrong; and her 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, many cousins and countless other friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gloria’s name to the Exposition Area Alumni Scholarship Fund, Post Office Box 124, West Springfield, Mass., 01090. Donations may also be made online at exposcholarship.org.
Gloria Edith Lawrenz