In Memory of Gloria Jean Stockwell

My name is Jason and I am raising money on the behalf on my dear-departed grandmother Gloria; who spent her life tirelessly devoting her life to her family, friends and to her community. In 1983 she was approached by my biological mother who was begging her for $200 for an abortion to have my life ceased because my father did not want to care for a child. He was 19 and mom was 23, my grandmother (his mother) prayed her hardest to god to have me come into this world.

Forward to 1984 when I was born, she was over-joyed at the birth of her grandchild and dedicated her life to making sure I was safe, even if behind closed doors her grandchild was being abused and beaten. In 1985-1987 she fought very hard to get custody of her grand-child and worked with social services to make this happen. She did not believe that I deserved a life where I had no family to support or to raise me. In June, of 1988; she won guardianship over me and my father and mother both signed the document surrendering their rights to me to my grandmother and grandfather.

My grandmother was a member of the Albanian orthodox church for many years and was rooted in Albanian culture and traditions by her mother and father who absolutely loved their family and hoped one day they would carry on the traditions. I am one of the very few who still continue to this day to carry said traditions even if it isn't by the book. My grandmother put her jobs and aspirations on hold to be a "mother " to me and did not join back into the workforce until I was old enough to be able to handle being alone. My grandfather had to work 2 jobs to keep the house running, and my grandmother now a full time mother ; had to be sure her grandchild had a proper upbringing.

I was born with Tuberous-Sclerosis Complex II (TSC2) which medically was a challenge as from the abuse had psychological issues, and on top of which I had benign tubers (non-malignant tumors) growing on various organs of my body and suffered from seizures (both psychogenic, and tics) throughout my entire life, which is for now under control and suffer from tics based on stress on the body and temperatures. Not much in the 80s-2000s were really known but thanks to my grandmother, I was able to go to public school and though I was in Special Ed through grammar- high school; she always made sure that I had everything I needed to be successful.

My grandmother always put her family first even if it meant that it hurt her deep down to give up something to make others happy. She spent most of her life sacrificing so that I may flourish and that her family could be provided with the love and affection they deserved. She was very protective and proactive and made sure to teach me to read at a young age, everything from Goodnight Moon to Wind in the willows and other books. When I was sick she would always be at my side making sure I would get better. When given my first Sega Genesis at 5 years old, she sat with me and played Castle of Illusion with me, even if she would always have mickey fall victim to the jumping mushrooms inside of the forest of the 1st level. My grandmother loved to exercise and try to keep her health up to keep up with me, raising a child in your early to mid 40s isn't easy but she was determined to stay young and lose weight so she could be there for her grandchild.

She has 2 children (Steven - Predeceased (Bone cancer) and Charles (my dad) ) Charles has not seen his mother since she was sick and even before the sickness he came around the house for money or things "he" needed never asked his mother how she was or how his son was, She carried this burden all her life; and always questioned why her son would abandon his family and even his own child who she is now raising because he wanted to be free of his "mistake" even as she aged he would consistently argue with her and my grandfather and my grandmother insisted that he grow up and take responsibility. My grandmother at this point has no other son other than me (her grandchild) to make sure her life is remembered and that the traditions do not die with her and my grandfather who is healthy but stubborn and requires additional assistance as he ages.

My grandmother, My grandfather, my husband and I all live together in the home in which I was brought into in 1988 and I spent 10 years from 2009-2019 traveling the country but always called my grandmother once a week if not multiple times a week to make sure they were doing OK. Before leaving I made a promise that if they ever needed me and I was not settled down, I would come home . I fulfilled that promise and even though I was not the easiest child to raise due to trauma recovery (which has not completely healed) she always had the door open no matter what words were said or how my behavioral issues clouded my judgment. This woman watched her grandchild go through School changes, Principal meetings, life long therapy, camps, dating, marriage, and so much of life's experiences that she held on until she knew her grandchild was taken care of.

She was a woman of many hobbies including puzzles, vacations, cooking and family. She loved vacations and the beach and was very fond of the ocean. There are too many memories to encapsulate in a memorial but she loved eating and spending time with her family. She always provided a listening ear to family and her community. She was a very involved individual and did everything she could for others. She may sound like the typical grandmother, but to us she was much more than that she was an "angel" and one we tend to reflect we could of devoted more time to listening to her story and guidance. As her grand-child I may of pretended not to listen but I always was and was her "rock" when she truly needed someone.

So much was sacrificed and we are writing this page to ask your strength and help this family keep the house she held so dear running and help us recover during this time of great need. She was a very given woman and gave to strangers often, and in turn we are asking for all those who lost a grandchild, child, mother, brother, sister, (or a loss in general) to aid us and reaching our goal so we can keep this house alive as it has been for many years. She has owned this house for over 40 years and I do not want the house I grew up and shared so many happy memories to disappear. Anything you can help with will be used to aid in paying credit cards, putting on a new roof and buying a new heating system for this house. This house used to be an old doctor's office and I would love to honor my grandmother's memory by finishing the basement to make it a livable space and create memories that will surpass not only her life but the next.

My grandfather and I and the rest of our family want to wish you all the best during the holiday season and hope that you can find it within your hearts to show a grandmother that her family will be truly cared for even though she passed on. She is guiding me as I write these passages and I do hope that we can achieve our goal so we can begin the process of growing this home to the way it used to be; full of love , laughter and kindness.