A Large Bequest From Petite Gloria Brown
Gloria in the WAVES in January 1945
By all accounts, Gloria Brown was a petite woman—barely 5 feet tall. But she had an enormous heart, especially for kids. She never had children of her own, but when she died in December 2003 at age 85, she bequeathed her house and its contents to Children's for the hospital's greatest and most urgent needs.
Gloria Brown; her husband, James Theodorelos, who died in 1986; and her close friend, Bob Sherwood, are all members of what Tom Brokaw coined "The Greatest Generation." They were all active in World War II. James Theodorelos flew dozens of combat missions as a B-24 crewman in the Asiatic theater, and Gloria served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
After graduating from high school in the 1930s, Gloria worked as a secretary in a law firm and later in the administration of San Diego City schools. She was outgoing, friendly and, according to Bob Sherwood, had "a great personality."
One of her younger friends, Sandy Wright, speaks of Gloria's "zest for life." Gloria did indeed live life to the fullest—going out dancing several times a week up until she was in her 70s and making frequent trips to Las Vegas. Her joie de vivre was balanced with compassion for others: Her generous estate gift to Children's of virtually everything she owned is a testament to that.
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