Gloria Chambers

My Obituary, 

by M. Gloria Arruda Chambers

I went to be with the Lord on July 27, 2018 with my loving family on my mind. I passed away from complications due to COPD, congestive heart failure and many other health conditions, just a few weeks before my 81st birthday. I fought a long battle—10 years ago, doctors told me I would be dead in 6 months. I showed them. My family referred to me as the “energizer bunny”; I kept going and going.

I was born in Bristol, Rhode Island Aug. 21,1937 to Frank Arruda Sr and Emma Sousa Arruda. My family moved to California in 1947 when I was 10. Here is where I made my home.

There were two days I was the most proud of: the births of my children, Alvin and Lori. They were the happiest days of my life and the reason to live. I loved cooking and baking. When they were still in school all the friends would come to the house for goodies. In my younger years, I was on a bowling team at Broadway Bowl. I played on a pool team at Off Broadway and Tom’s Bar. I was a member of the Eagles’ Club and the Moose Lodge, many years of ceramic classes and bartended over 25 years at the Redwood Acres Stock car races.

I loved to socialize and met really nice people over the years. I enjoyed keeping in contact with my 1956 EHS classmates and reminiscing. I would go to bingo and play slots at the casino before I became totally disabled, then I had to wait until someone would take me. That was a bummer. Haha.

I enjoyed teaching my granddaughters how to cook and bake. They always enjoyed the cooking part but always left the clean up for me. Lol. When it was time for them to make the pie crust they would have more flour on them than the pie crust had. I loved every second of it.

My granddaughter Krisha’s first experience making homemade Portuguese sweetbread as it raised while cooking she got so excited and yelled, “Grandma, come see how high the bread is getting.” We both laughed so hard ‘til tears were in our eyes. Always loved teasing my grandkids.

I loved going to my grandkids sporting events, the White boys’ football, basketball and wrestling and Krisha soccer, basketball and softball—we didn’t have a off season. They kept me on the go and I am so glad I got to enjoy all of them.

Always had a wonderful time with our family. When my brothers would come from out of town for a visit, they would play guitars and we’d all have a wonderful time together. Lots of wonderful memories, I hope they will remember them all. We all had such good times together and many family parties — I was the first one there and the last to leave, haha. Good memories.

I enjoyed taking my grandchildren on vacations with us and teaching them to swim — it was fantastic. I loved each and every one of them. I wished I could have taken everyone of you but sorry it didn’t happen. I just hope you all have some good memories that will put a smile on your face when you think about me.

My last job I worked at was Shafer’s Hardware. I worked for Bonanza 88, Rexall Drugstore, Hunt’s Pharmacy and Lazio’s.

Well, I can say I enjoyed life to the fullest, young and old. I will miss and love my family, each and every one of you so much but I will be with open arms when we see each other again.

I was preceded in death by my son Alvin Pires Sr, my parents Frank Arruda Sr, Emma Arruda and my husband Howard Chambers.

I am survived by my daughter Lori and Jim White. My grand children, Keith White and Paige McLean, John and Tawnya White, Krisha White, Diana Pires and Donald DeMoe, Kay Pires and Chris McFarland, Alvin & Valerie Pires Jr,, Christina Eichhorst, and Daughter in law Janice Pires. My siblings Frank and Jean Arruda Jr., Dolores Arruda, Leonard & Debbie Arruda, John and Pat Arruda, Manuel & Judy Arruda, Emmie and John Peterson, my god children Lenette & Neal Cowan, George Amaral and Carri Zimmerman. Many great grandchildren and just too many nieces and nephews to list but you all know how much you were all loved by me, everyone of you have a place in my heart. A very special friend that I could never repay for all you did to keep me alive, Sandy Trusty! You were like a sister to me and my family thanks you for all you did.

Pallbearers: Neal Cowan, Alvin Pires Jr, Tara Arruda, Keith White, John White and Brandon Wakeland, Mike Weekly and Brian Weekly

Viewing: Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home

Services: Friday Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. at Sanders Funeral Home followed by graveside at Ocean View Cemetery.

The family would like to invite everyone for a potluck to celebrate Gloria at the Moose Lodge Friday after services from 12-4 p.m.

To share memories or express condolences, please sign guest book.