Gloria P. Runnings
March 3, 1933 - March 20, 2006
Obituary
Gloria P. RUNNINGS
Surrounded by her loving family, Gloria 73, of West Seattle passed away March 20, 2006, after suffering a stroke. Born March 3, 1933 to Harcourt “Harky “and Ruby Runnings she was a life long resident of West Seattle. Gloria is survived by her partner Howard Kinney, her sister Carolyn Olsen of Shelton, Washington; her four children and their families including Randy, Michele, Robert, Marcia and Howard’s two children and their families including Jill and Jay. She has four grandchildren Hamilton, Icy, Alexandra, and Logan and many nieces and nephews. She attended West Seattle High School and graduated in 1952. Gloria was a wonderful mother and friend to many. She was an energetic individual whom many new as “Glo”. She loved to play tennis, spend time on the beach at Hood Canal, and had a passion for the arts. Her passion for the art world guided her to owning the Runnings Art Gallery for several years in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. After closing the Runnings Gallery she was intimately involved with the start up of the ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery in West Seattle and was its Art Director for several years. In recent years she loved being involved with her children and grandchildren. Gloria had a generous and engaging spirit and will be missed by the many who loved her. Gloria’s family would like to thank the caring and talented people of the Swedish Hospital Stroke Team. A celebration of her life will be held at the ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery 4711 California Ave, SW Seattle, WA 98116 Sunday, March 26, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery, P.O. Box 16152 Seattle, WA 98116. Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com
Michele,
My heart goes out to you at this time. Your loss is difficult to comprehend and my thoughts are with you. If you ever need to talk feel free to call me. I lost touch with you when you sold your house in West Seattle several years ago. I think of your family often and our times growing up together. Your mother had a great laugh. Kathy Ralkowski
Gloria was one of my favorite classmates. I was not a real close pal but I loved her for her energy, positive attitude and great smile, among many other attributes. I saw her at the last WSHS Ladies’ Lunch and she looked so healthy, I cannot believe she is gone. What a loss to the Class of ’51 and her community as well as her family. Phyllis Vanderslice Albus
My fondest memory is of Gloria doing the Charleston on the stage at West Seattle High. I was privileged to see her at the Ladies of ’51 luncheon in Jan and recognize again how vital she was. What a beauty. My sincerest sympathies to you, Howard, and her sister, Carolyn, and to her beautiful children. Jacki Christiansen Watson
Gloria was very generous of her time to the arts and to the artists. Her support of the arts community in Seattle was an important contribution to the quality of cultural life for others. We in West Seattle are very thankful.
My condolences to Gloria’s family and loved ones. I enjoyed seeing and visiting with Gloria. We saw each other often when she had her gallery and I worked in the Smith Tower. I will miss her smiling, friendly face and always interesting conversation. A fine lady she was.
Barbara
Gloria was a sunshine lady. Made us all smiling & happy. Gloria started living in our heart since she is gone to heaven. What is important is invisible & she lives in our heart enernally. Peace.
Sam and Kitti
In addition to being classmates, Gloria and I both loved to dance and would often run into each other at high school dances held all over Seattle. I last saw Gloria at our class of ’51 ladies luncheon in January and I am so glad I had the chance to visit with her. We will all miss seeing her at our quarterly luncheons, but will never forget her. My sympathy to all her loved ones.
Dear Carolyn, Please accept Marsha’s and mine deepest sympathy on the loss of Gloria. You have many memories of her and I know they will be of deep comfort in the years to come. Take care. Elizabeth
Gloria – her name says it all. She was a woman who exemplified class and grace. She brought glory to the West Seattle community. My encounters with her were minimal, yet she affected me so. I feel fortunate to have met Gloria.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family. She will be missed, but always remembered…
Dear Carolyn. I am so sorry that losing a cherished Sister and Friend has been your fate as well. It sounds as if Gloria’s stellar involvement in and service to the Community are legion and that her spirit will live on and on and what a legacy that is! I wish you strength and peace as you grapple with your sorrow and void along with the loving memories of your shared youth and family history. My sincere condolence. Mary Ellen
Dear Robert and family,
We are so very saddened by your loss. It was not hard to see that your mother was an amazing and dynamic woman. We will always remember how gracious she was to invite us into her home for your family’s Easter brunch. She will be missed.
You are in our thoughts. With love,
Scott, T.J. and Samantha
There is nothing like a “Dame” and that is an apt description for our friend, neighbor and colleague in the arts, Gloria.Always a class act, always gracious and always a lady. We will miss her so much.
We will miss Gloria’s upbeat spirit, energy, cooperation , intelligence, tact , friendliness and fun company. We’ll miss her on the tennis court and at ArtsWest. It is a loss to the whole community.
That redheaded gal was a stand out in high school days always with a smile
I will always remember Gloria’s spirit and drive to make the ArtsWest Gallery something everyone could be quite proud of – she has a true legacy there. I will miss her honesty, her passion, and her class. I pray many warm and wonderful memories bring some comfort to her family.
All blessings,
Mavis Lamb
I graduated with Gloria from West Seattle High. Saw her in January 05 for 1st time in over 50 years. She looked so great. My deepest sympathy to all of her family and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I will always remember Gloria as a strong person who was very knowledgeable and passionate about the arts. She would articulate her thoughts, and if not heeded still work hard as a solid team member to accomplish the vision. I often sought Gloria’s guidance as an ArtsWest Trustee and learned from her experience and advice. She always kept the lines of communication open for any ideas. Gloria and the Runnings family have been strong silent givers to the community, and especially to ArtsWest. I will always remember Howard and Gloria as a very gracious, fun loving couple. Thank you, Gloria, God Bless, you will be missed by all.
Jim Guenther
Gloria and I worked together on the West Seattle Garden Tour Committee and on many ArtsWest projects for years.The best word to describe her, I think, is vibrant. I will always remember her graciousness, great sense of humor, beautiful presence and energetic support for ArtsWest. I will miss our chats and our working together. My last conversation with Gloria included her telling me what wonderful care Howard had been giving her and how much she appreciated him. My thoughts and prayers are with Howard, and the rest of the family.
Sandy
Dear Marci, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I think of you and your family often.
Love you, Lisa.
Once you met Gloria you would never forget her. Even after so many years, her name would come up in our household. She brought so much to West Seattle. Anyone who knew her was so lucky and blessed. She will be missed, but her hard work, love of the arts and wonderful personality will go on and be remembered forever.
Michelle and Randy,
We were saddened to hear of Gloria’s death. Dave knew your family so well growing up. I knew your Mom as a member of the WSHS Foundation board. She was an active and vibrant person and I’m glad I got to know her ever so briefly through the Foundation. Take care. Your family is in our thoughts.
Chris & Dave Rowe