Helen Gloor

On January 18th, 2009 the community lost a truly amazing person, Helen Gloor, an Aspen, Colo., resident since 1962. She passed away five weeks after open heart surgery. She will be missed by the many people whose lives she has touched.

Born in Highgate Ontario, Canada, Helen enjoyed her early years on her family's homestead, Leeland Farm. Upon completing her nursing degree in Chatham, Ontario, she traveled to Santa Monica, Calif., where she quickly rose to head nurse status at age 23. She was then promoted to the charge nurse of the IV team.

After completing psychological nurse's training in Hawaii, she accepted a position with the Aspen Valley Hospital in 1962. Three years later, in 1965, she married Fred Gloor. The two of them shared a life of love for the outdoors, family, and many wonderful friends. 

Helen was actively involved in the local community. Back in the mid-'70s she was a founding member of the Mother Pucker Hockey team and played for 25 years. She volunteered for years with Aspen Historical Society. Helen focused her love and energy on raising her two children, John and Dana, and was always willing to travel for their various athletic events. She enjoyed skiing in Aspen and sailing at Ruedi. In her later years, she competed in many sailing races in Sandpoint, Idaho, where she kept a second home where she warmly welcomed many guests. Helen also had a creative streak and her broad range of talents included house design, sewing and watercolor. Her creativity can be spotted throughout Aspen and Sandpoint in paintings, quilts, hats, bags, and toddler dresses.

Her love of life was unsurpassable and her fun-loving nature was contagious.  As a pillar of strength and love for her family and a reliable and caring friend to so many, her memory will glow vividly in the hearts of those lucky enough to call her "friend."

Helen Gloor was preceded in death by her parents Leslie McKay Robertson and Mary Augusta Lee. She is survived by Fred Gloor of Aspen and Sandpoint; her son, John Gloor of Aspen and his fiancé, Maggie McCarthy; her daughter, Dana Gloor and her husband Bill of Sun Valley, Idaho, and their children Huck and Grendel Sprong.

A memorial will take place at Bumps Restaurant at the Base of Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2009, beginning promptly at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers her family wishes for donations to be made in Helen's name to a charity of their choice.