Gloria E. (Blade) Hansen-Cox

Gloria E. (Blade) Hansen-Cox, 84, of Columbia, CT entered into eternal peace on December 4, 2016 after an eight-month battle with Glioblastoma. She was born August 13, 1932 in Liberty, New York; daughter of the late Gladys and Cyrus Blade. Gloria was a former resident of Glastonbury, CT moving to Columbia 39 years ago. She grew up in Liberty, NY with her parents and brother, Ward Blade. She graduated from Liberty High School with the Class of ’50 where she was the drum majorette as the tallest girl in class, leading the band in many football games.

Gloria married the late Donald J. Hansen of Liberty, NY on October 29, 1950. She took great pride in ‘the manse’, their home on the Columbia green.
Gloria was a member of the Columbia Congregational Church where she led the junior choir for many years. She was employed by M&M Welding in Glastonbury and later worked for her first husband’s insurance company as a secretary. She was an avid gardener, UConn basketball fan, and active member of the Columbia Senior Center. She enjoyed spending many summers with family at Columbia Lake. Gloria persevered through the passing of her first husband in 1989 and suffering a stroke in 1994. She was able to find love again when she met Robert W. Cox and they were married on October 7, 1995.

Gloria is survived by her five children, Deborah A. Jones of Willimantic, CT, Donald B. Hansen of Colorado Springs, CO, Glenn B. Hansen and wife Maria of Sumter, SC, Cynthia I. Crider and husband Craig of Virginia Beach, VA, and Jonathan C. Hansen and wife Jean of Columbia, CT, as well her brother Ward Blade and wife Sandy of Liberty, NY. Gloria has 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, three nieces, and one nephew. She is also survived by her 3 Step-Children - Jim Cox of Tacoma, WA; Dee Moskowitz of Melbourn, FL; and Marjorie Gill of Killeen, TX; They are the children from her second marriage to Robert W. Cox.

Gloria is predeceased by two husbands, Donald J. Hansen and Robert W. Cox.

A Wake will be held Friday, December 9, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte.195) Willimantic, CT. The Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Columbia Congregational Church, 325 CT-87, Columbia, CT. She will be greatly missed by many friends and loved ones. If you didn’t know Gloria, you surely knew someone who did. To sign the online memorial guest book, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com

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