Gloria Jane Stern Bacharach passed away on Dec. 9 at the age of 96. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Albrecht Bacharach, z”l, and granddaughter Jasmine RR Spiegel, z”l. She is loved and remembered by daughters, Elaine (Jonathon Lietz) Coughlin, Corinne (Larry) Spiegel and Jackie (Harold) Lesch; son, Alan Bacharach; grandchildren, Craig (Emiko) Coughlin, Aimee (Aaron) Johnson, Jody (Matt) Greene, Sam Spiegel, Joel Spiegel, Nathan Spiegel, Jacob (Reba) Lesch, Aaron Lesch, Zach (Nina Simons) Lesch, Ariel (Janique) Bacharach, Dana Bacharach, Lindsay Culver (Noah) and Jeremy Lietz; and 13 great grandchildren.

Gloria was the daughter of Jennie Stern, z”l, and Julius Stern, z”l, and was born in Dowagiac, Mich. She grew up in Marcellus, Mich., and attended Western Michigan College. Gloria married Albrecht, z”l, and lived in Michigan until the family moved to Oregon in 1968. As her family grew, and Gloria became a grandmother, she soon became our beloved “Oma” and showered her love on her family. Each and every child, grandchild and great grandchild felt Oma had a special place in her heart just for them!

Gloria was totally devoted to her community and family, yet always left room to volunteer and share her love and kindness. In 2012, Gloria was honored as the Legacy Society Honoree from Oregon Jewish Community Foundation for her “steadfast devotion to our Jewish community.” For more than 20 years, Gloria managed the Judaica Shop at Congregation Neveh Shalom, and it was later named in her honor. The "Woman of Valor Award" from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland was awarded to Gloria in the 1990s. Hadassah, Neveh Shalom Sisterhood, National Council of Jewish Women, Welcome Wagon, PTA, Scouts and the Lake Oswego Senior Center were some of the organizations where Gloria volunteered and served. Over the years, there were many other organizations to which Gloria never said “no.” She loved to play bridge and played in many different groups over the years. “Napping” was a word not known in Gloria’s vocabulary-she had far too much to live for, always showing her enthusiasm and positivity.

Gloria’s love for family motivated her to carefully connect with relatives from all over the world and when possible, attend every momentous occasion. When Gloria arrived, the event was “special.”

 Her smiling eyes and warmth, touched everyone she met and this carried through to her final days as caregivers and Serenity Hospice staff called her “their favorite.” Her life was a blessing to all.

Donations may be made in her memory to: Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Jewish Family & Child Service, Camp Solomon Schechter or the charity of your choice.

A private interment is scheduled. Zoom Shiva Minyans will be Dec. 12 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 13 at 3:30 pm and Dec. 14 at 7 pm. Information is available from Congregation Neveh Shalom.