Gloria Anne Peterson

Gloria Anne Peterson, formerly Gould, née Smith, of Coquille and North Bend, passed away suddenly at her home in Sublimity on November 4. She was 90 years old.

Gloria was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia on February 17, 1935, to Virgil and Mattie Smith. Like many others seeking work during the Depression, the Smith family moved quite a bit, Gloria’s father taking jobs in Washington and on her family’s peanut farm in Georgia before moving back to Washington, then to Reedsport and finally to the Fairview area, where the family lived until 1974, when Gloria and family moved to the “Big City” of Coquille. From there she moved to North Bend, and finally to Sublimity.

Gloria is survived by her husband, Murile “Pete” Peterson, formerly of North Bend. Gloria and Pete were happily married for over 50 years. Gloria is also survived by three of her five children from a prior marriage, Rodney and Wade Gould and Nancy Davenport, and by stepdaughters Lee Ann (Weddle) and Laurel Fay (Smith); she was preceded in death by sons Michael and Bret and stepson Daniel. Gloria is also survived by daughters-in-law Lindy (Rodney) and Margee (Michael). Gloria was blessed with almost two dozen grandchildren and more than thirty great-grandchildren.

Gloria worked in Coquille at Miller Department Store and Hansen Electric, and in the Coos Bay office of the Social Security Administration, where she worked for 17 years, retiring in 1990. She was a longstanding member and served as an officer in the Coos Bay Laureate Xi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Those who knew her will attest to the fact that Gloria’s heart held a special place for children. Wherever she went, she always found time to give special attention to babies and toddlers, and to compliment their parents on their beautiful child.

A memorial service and celebration of Gloria’s life will be held at 1pm, Saturday, March 28, 2026,at the Bay Area Church of the Nazarene, 1850 Clark Street in North Bend with Pastor Mark Schiro, officiating. 

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