Gloria Jean Urban

Gloria Jean Urban (Schultz) age 81 sadly passed away on December 28, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, lived most of her life in Central Ohio had moved to Phoenix in 2020 to be closer to her grandchildren. 

 Gloria’s formative years were spent in Kipling, Ohio with her maternal Czechoslovakian/Bohemian grandparents whom she fiercely loved. Part of the 1961 class of Whitehall-Yearling High School, Gloria’s pursuit of knowledge never ended as she graduated with honors from Capital University at the age of 64. She told her daughters, who would receive their own bachelor’s degrees, “Get your education. It is the one thing no one can take away from you.”

 Gloria retired early from AT&T, formerly Ohio Bell, as an operator then went on to work for the City of Columbus Water Department and then retiring from the City of Columbus Civil Service Department

While she received many accolades and awards as an operator, she was given a commendation from the City of Columbus for her work in the Civil Service Commission.

 She will be missed

• as being a strong role model for her daughters and their daughters,
• her silent bouts of shoulder-shaking laughter,
• as a feminist before people understood the word,
• as a people person, always connecting with others,
• as sweet, confident, intelligent, small but mighty, and beautiful. Her husband recounts how he fell in love with her instantaneously.

Life after retirement was full as she read mystery books, wrote stories, dabbled in arts and crafts, went antiquing with her husband Don, liked dancing to 60/70’s music, watched all Buckeye Football games, and loved attending/cheering on any grandchild’s sport, recital or competition as a Nana .

 She is survived by her husband of 59 years Donald Urban, her children Brande Urban (Scott Whitehead) and Jaime Burke (Scott), her grandchildren Emma, Oliver, and Charlotte, her bonus grandchildren Madison and Abigail, her brother Robert Schultz (Jean-Marie Hegarty) and many supportive nieces, nephews, friends and other family members who loved her, as well as her granddaughter’s dog, whom she adored, Harvey.

 She was preceded in death by her brother Charles Schultz and mother Josephine Schultz.

The family would like to thank the amazing ICU staff at Banner Boswell Hospital for always taking the time to educate us, advocate for Gloria and their unending compassionate care.

 A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held later in 2025. If so moved, donate in Gloria’s honor to the Heart Foundation, the Women’s Fund in Central Ohio, or to any PBS (Public Broadcasting Services).