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- Gloria was born 22 August 1941 in Hamilton. She was the second child of Maurice and Flo Yendell. Perhaps the birth of a daughter may have caused extra excitement for Maurice who was from a family of seven sons.
Gloria attended Waikato Diocesan School in Hamilton from 1947 to 1958. Early on at school Gloria?s natural sporting ability was obvious. She represented the school in most sports, swimming, basketball, tennis and gymnastics being among her favorites. She also had a natural musical ability. She was often the soloist in both the chapel choir and school choir.
On leaving school Gloria decided she wanted to train to be a PE teacher. Swords College in Sydney was chosen. It was where her PE teacher had trained and Gloria had enjoyed the method of teaching. However, Maurice felt Gloria was too young to go to Sydney on her own straight from school so arranged for her to spend a year working at the Hamilton public library. In 1960 it was off to Sydney for 3 years study.
On graduation she took a teaching position at St Matthews Collegiate in Masterton. In 1966 she decided to return to Hamilton. While looking for a new position she offered to help in the curtaining and Manchester department of Yendells? Furnishers, the family business. She thoroughly enjoyed the work and so a career change was made.
Sadly Gloria was diagnosed with cancer in 1967 and died 30 March 1968. Gloria had a gentle, fun loving nature. Her ability to always see the good in people combined with a humble graciousness meant people of all ages responded to her. This was evident by the large number of people who attended her funeral.
?Blessed are the pure in Heart? is the fitting inscription on her headstone.
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