Obituary of Gloria J. Selvy
Age 77, passed peacefully, Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, IL.
Gloria was born on October 12, 1947, to the late Margaret (Senko) and Charles Michael Lambert in Joliet, where she was raised and educated. She was a graduate of Providence Catholic High School with the class of 1966.
Gloria retired from Borg Warner after many years of dedicated service. She was formerly employed at Caterpillar Inc. and when she was younger worked at McCormick Place in Chicago and for the US Post Office in Joliet.
She had a lifelong passion for music, singing in both school and church choirs. She also performed in three annual presentations of Handel's Messiah at Moraine Valley Community College, with her high school friend Marjorie Bull, and was joined by her son in the orchestra for the final performance.
Arts and crafts and anything purple were passions as well, including ceramics, cross stitch, needle point, making scarves, sewing, and many others. She spent countless hours crocheting blankets, doll dresses, and several hundred refrigerator magnet decorations for each and every holiday.
Gloria's greatest joy was her son, Ken. She always made time to take him to bowling leagues, weekly roller skating, music lessons, and religiously attended every performance from beginner band through University of Illinois halftime shows. She was delighted to continue this tradition with her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other extended family whenever possible. She also enjoyed time with Earl's grandchildren, Kyle, Tyler, and Katelyn. She regularly went fishing on her late husband’s boat, with many trips down the Illinois River, Hayward, Wisconsin, and Lake of The Woods, Ontario.
She was blessed to have a lifelong best friend, Margie Ryan (Shoji) Okabe, who always had her support in good times and bad. She often visited her family in Los Angeles and adored her boys, Ryan and Kevin Okabe.
Later in life, Gloria was cared for by her aunt, Joan Senko, and longtime friends, Anita Boe and Paula Babich.
Gloria is the beloved mother of Kenneth Burman; loving grandmother of Nathan, Caleb and Aren; sister of David (Dawn) Lambert; aunt of Hope Lipke, Cortney, Matthew (Amanda), Michael (Katy), and Megan Lambert .
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl Selvy; her parents; and brother, Charles M. Lambert, Jr.
As it was Gloria's request, cremation rites have been accorded.
All friends and relatives are invited to gather at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd), Joliet, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until her memorial service, beginning at 5:00 p.m. She will be entombed at Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, where she will be laid to rest with her parents.
For more information please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
