Gloria Jean Holcombe

Gloria Holcombe, 63, of Orlando, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 26th 2024 after facing a long-term illness with remarkable strength and grace. Born to Gerald Anthony Race and Gloria Jean Race on February 24th 1961, Gloria lived a life full of kindness, strength, and an undeniable beauty. Her passion for her friends and family touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. Gloria had a remarkable gift for connecting with others. She made people feel loved and valued, while always showing genuine interest and care in every interaction. Gloria’s family, especially her daughters and both her current and future grandchildren, were the light of her life. She would run at the chance to be with her grandkids or listen to their stories. She always took great leaps to know their favorite things to have a common interest between them. She had an extremely strong bond with her sisters, despite the miles between them with her living in Florida and them in New York. They talked almost every day, sharing a lifetime of memories from growing up together, raising families together and some even reaching retirement age together. Her favorite things to do were to lay by the beach and listen to the ocean, watch the birds at her bird feeder, wake up early to go to a yoga class, take long walks while listening to an audio book, relax with the grand-dogs on the couch or by the pool, visit theme parks on a quiet day, or eat ice cream while watching crime tv. Gloria had a wonderful way of bringing out her childlike excitement, finding joy in the simplest things. Her genuine enthusiasm was so infectious that it never failed to bring a smile to anyone's face. Her strength was evident not just in the challenges she faced but in her disciplined approach to life. Gloria kept a dedicated exercise routine and took great pride in her organized approach to daily life. She led by example, imparting a deep sense of values and morals to her children. Gloria was the cherished wife of the late Jeffrey Holcombe. She is survived by her family including her two daughters, Emily Knightly and Lily Zoromski, her five loving siblings, Jeri Holcombe, Donna Rellos, Sandra Sargent, Gerald Race Jr., Georgia Race and her parents, Gerald Race and Gloria Race. Her family and friends will miss her everyday forward, in the little and big moments of life. A service to celebrate Gloria’s remarkable life will be held at a later date. To honor her memory, the family suggests donating to the MDS Foundation (https://www.mds-foundation.org/) or supporting the U.S. Postal Service, an organization she held dear, by using their services to send a card to a loved one. Or simply by dedicating a day to any of the things she loved most. One of her favorite songs that she sang to herself, her kids and her grandkids was: “You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make me happy When skies are gray You'll never know, dear How much I love you Please don't take My sunshine away” Gloria, Gogi, Mom, Grandma—you will always be our sunshine.

Gloria Jean Holcombe

February 24, 1961 - August 26, 2024