Gloria A. (Szymanski) Tscherne

Gloria Alice Tscherne, 80, of East Toledo passed away Thursday, August 13, 2015, at UTMC from complications of CDIF. Gloria was born September 19,1934, to Mary (Mezaros) and Joseph Szymanski. She married “The Love of Her Life” Albert J. Tscherne in 1954 and they shared 49 wonderful years until his passing in 2005. Gloria began her working career at Mercy Hospital, while still in high school. After graduating from Waite High School, she worked at the National Biscuit Company, Gulf Oil, then, Johns-Manville in accounts receivable for 15 years.  

While working full-time and fulfilling her role as devoted wife, loving mother, and homemaker, true to her mantra, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”, she delved into many hobbies, including sewing, ceramics and macramé. A very talented artisan, she created many custom ceramic pieces for family, friends and co-workers. Her ceramic lighted Christmas trees were a popular item for the holiday season. She made custom macramé designs, her most popular being a six foot tall plant hanger.  An avid cook, her “legendary” potato salad, and “pigs in the blanket”, were always requested at family gatherings. 

A music lover since childhood, she sang in the local church choir directed by Sam Szor. She nurtured the inherited interest of music in her only son, AJ, enrolling him in private guitar lessons at the age of 8. AJ played in local bands and acquired a large number of students, eventually opening his own music studio in East Toledo. When the successful business moved to Great Eastern Shopping Center, Gloria, the always supportive mom, quit her job at Johns-Manville and started managing the store. Needing a larger facility, the store relocated to East Toledo, it was aptly named, AJ’s Music & Gift shop, a full service retail music store, that also featured Gloria’s beautifully crafted macramé items.

After a successful  10 years, the music store was sold and AJ, with band mate, Tim Tiderman, bought a nightclub which became the well known “Hotlix Hideaway”.  Gloria, the proverbial “band mom”, immediately stepped up to help with day to day operations. Gloria then received a “calling” to fill the position of office manager for Dr, Sydney Fernandes.  She devoted the next 18 years to the success of his family practice.

Her #1 favorite pastime, was watching her son play guitar, She was always looking forward to the next “road trip”, traveling anywhere and everywhere, accompanied by her two “compadres”, sisters, Marlene and Carrie. A life long animal lover, her home was shared with many dogs, cats, fish, birds, not to mention the outdoor animals, she fed daily; much to the fake chagrin of her loving husband!

Gloria is survived by her only son, AJ Tscherne (Jill Siebert), Beloved Grandson, Joe Tscherne. Siblings, Marlene (Kenny) Smith; Dan (Maryanne), Rick (Maryanne) Szymanski; Christine (Richard) Lance, and many loving nieces, nephews & extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband “AL” and her siblings Larry, Ronnie & Carrie Hastings.

A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2015, 2:00pm - 6:00pm at The American Legion Dunberger Post, 4925 Pickle Rd, Oregon, OH, with a reflective service at 3pm to be followed with live music. Memorial contribution, in her name, appreciated to Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter. Freck Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.freckchapel.com.

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