Obituary of Gloria Wascher

Gloria Otterstedt Wascher of Santa Barbara died peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. She was born in New York City on February 2, 1923, to Lillie and Frederick Otterstedt of Englewood, New Jersey. She graduated from Rhodes Preparatory School and Ann-Reno Institute, both in NYC. After graduating from Teacher's College at Columbia University, Gloria taught at Little School in Englewood, NJ. In 1943 she married John D. Rover who was killed in service as a fighter pilot in the Army Air Force in 1944. She remarried in 1948 to Richard P. Wascher; they lived and raised their family in LaGrange, IL., Kansas City, MO, and Hinsdale, Il. Her husband of 34 years passed away in 1981 while living in New Jersey, shortly after his retirement from CPC Intl. Inc., at which time she soon relocated to Santa Barbara. Gloria was an active volunteer and participant with several organizations: A.A.U.W., Assistance League, PEO (I.J.) Santa Barbara Chapter, Community Arts Music Association Women's Board, La Cumbre Country Club, Santa Barbara Historical Society (docent), and many others. She believed that giving back to society was both a privilege and an honor. She was an avid traveler and believed in sharing her experiences with others. She was an avid reader and joined in various book groups as well. The family wishes to thank the excellent staff at Samarkand Retirement Community in Santa Barbara, California. She is survived by her four children: John Fredric Rover Wascher (Bonnie), of University Place, WA; Lorraine Ruth Wascher Woods of Seattle, WA; Paul James Wascher (Joyce) of West Bloomfield, MI; and Carl George Wascher (Maria), of Camarillo, CA. She also had seven grandchildren: Kristin Wascher-Phelps,(Mason) University Place, WA; Elizabeth Woods Lam,(Cuong) Buena Park, CA; Jonathan Woods, Tacoma, WA; Emma Wascher, Los Angeles, CA; Victoria Wascher, Los Angeles, CA; Paul (PJ) Wascher Jr., Ann Arbor, MI; Molly Wascher, West Bloomfield, MI; as well as three great-grandsons: George Phelps, Charles Phelps, and Evan Lam. An eighth granddaughter, Karin Wascher, passed away in 1989. She is also survived by nieces and a nephew. A memorial service will be held at the Samarkand Retirement Community Chapel located at 2550 Treasure Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 11 AM. Her ashes will be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NYC. Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following three charities, or to a charity of your choice : Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave.,Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601; Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway,Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006; Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 East De la Guerra Str.,Santa Barbara, CA 93101