Gloria Jean Koch

Gloria Jean (Taylor) Koch, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and community member, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2023, at the age of 79. Gloria was born May 10, 1943 to Garland Allen Taylor and Emma Elizabeth (Rau) Taylor, in Milwaukie, Oregon, where she grew up and made her home, raising her children alongside her loving husband, Alan.

Gloria's dedication to her community and her tireless efforts to make a positive impact on the world around her will be sorely missed. Her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched and the hearts she touched with her kindness and generosity.

As a room mother at her children’s elementary schools, Gloria was known for her dedication to students and her ability to bring joy to the classroom. As  a Girl Scout leader, her enthusiasm for education extended beyond the classroom, when she  chaperoned  a troop of teenage Girl Scouts to Europe for 5 ½ weeks, broadening their horizons and instilling in them a love for travel and adventure.

Gloria's passion for animals and the environment led her to become a docent at the Oregon Zoo, where she shared her knowledge and love of wildlife with visitors from around the world and where she accumulated over 10,000 hours of service. She was also a whale talker at the Oregon coast near Depoe Bay, where she spent countless hours observing whale migrations as well as educating the general public about whales and whale life.

Gloria’s impact on others didn’t stop with the community and environment. As a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Gloria always supported the efforts of her family.  Her love of music was enriched for many years watching her son and daughter and then her grandchildren’s music performances. Her great grandsons are involved in music and sports as well and she was so excited to see them perform and play.  She traveled to as many events as she could and when she wasn’t travelling for sports and music events, she enjoyed camping with her family, often taking her grandchildren to her favorite places in Oregon and Washington and her children to numerous National Parks throughout the Western United States.

Gloria is survived by her husband, Alan, of nearly 62 years, two children, Kimberly Mull (Shawn Bewley) and Eric (Taleena), three grandchildren, Desire Sweet, Austin Koch, and Adam Koch, and 2 great grandchildren, and a large extended family.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Oregon State Parks, the Oregon Zoo, or the Girl Scouts of America in Gloria's memory.

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