Gloria A. Tift

Gloria A. Tift December 19, 1936 - April 5, 2017 Gloria Ann Tift, age 80, passed away suddenly at her home in Malaga, WA, on April 5, 2017. Gloria was born in St. Paul, MN, on December 19, 1936. As a young child, she and her older brother, Doug, moved to Cashmere, WA, to join their mother and stepfather, Peggy and Winslow Rockenfield. Gloria attended Cashmere schools where she met her match, Orlo Tift. They were married on August 26, 1952. They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary this summer. Gloria was a busy mom of three boys, a Cub Scout den mother, and an avid fan of Cashmere Bulldogs football, basketball and track. She was a skilled homemaker and a wonderful cook. Her chocolate chip cookies were legendary among her kids' friends. She also worked in several local businesses over the years: she packed fruit, worked at Aplets and Cotlets, Rusty's Drive- In, Doane's Valley Pharmacy, and she ran a family business, Blue Heron Gallery and Gifts in Leavenworth, WA. In 1981, Orlo and Gloria moved to their home near Three Lakes in Malaga, where they planted five acres of cherries and transformed their property into a lovely, welcoming place for the whole family to gather. Gloria made every holiday and birthday a special event. She also loved animals, gardening, and being outdoors. Gloria is survived by her husband, Orlo of Malaga, WA; three sons and daughters-in-law: Steve and Melissa Tift of Mount Vernon, WA, Jeff and Kathy Tift of Entiat, WA, and Alan and Debbie Tift of Wenatchee, WA; grandchildren: Cori (Paul) Moreno of Irvingston, NY, Sean Tift of Portland, OR, and Seth Tift of Mount Vernon, WA; great-granddaughters: Addison and Ainslee Moreno; her brother, Doug (Sandy) Rockenfield of Redmond, WA; brother-in-law, Paul (Pat) Tift of Brewster, WA; sister-in-law, Ida (Dick) McCoy of Mount Vernon, WA; along with cousins, nieces and nephews. She left us all with many memories to share. The family wishes to thank Fire Chief, Mike Burnett, and the crew of the Chelan County Fire District for your efforts, direction, and support. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Grace Lutheran Church in Cashmere. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gloria's memory to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society or the charity of your choice.