Gloria Matlock passed away at the age of 96 in Kirkland on June 18. Born Gloria Bradley on June 13, 1922, in Portland, Ore., she was a cheerful person with a positive outlook. Known within the family as the “kissy kid” when she was little, Gloria liked almost everyone. On July 4, 1942, at the age of 20, she married William Budd Matlock, and they remained together until his death in 2005. In the early years of their marriage they lived in a variety of locations in Washington, Oregon and California, and even spent two years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1967, they moved to Oak Harbor, where they remained for 30 years.

Gloria was deeply interested in genealogy, for which she did extensive research, compiling multiple volumes of information on various branches of the interconnected families. Creative and never idle, she was a talented seamstress and craftsperson.

Among many other things, she did complicated, intricate needlework and she costumed both antique and original handmade dolls. In later years, among other crafts, she devoted herself to beading, making hundreds of necklaces and bracelets that she gave to residents, staff and visitors at her senior residence.

Even in advanced old age, Gloria remained mentally alert and retained her life-long ability to develop caring relationships with people of all ages. She is survived by her son Dan Matlock; daughter Diane Matlock; grandchildren Sarah Matlock, Jennifer Matlock and Jordan Hartley; and her great granddaughter Kyla Ann Matlock-Freeman.