Gloria Bean

Gloria M. Bean was a strong, caring woman who always gave selflessly to enrich the lives of those around her. Above all, though, she loved her friends and family. Underneath her quick sense of humor and cheerful outlook on life was a reservoir of strength, which those around her came to depend on. Always thinking of others before herself, Gloria was both blessed by and a blessing to those she loved.

During the bleak era of the 1930s, with our nation in the clutches of the Great Depression, families did what they could to make their lives happy. Families gathered around radios for entertainment and the golden age of the mystery novel continued as people escaped into books. In the midst of these confusing and difficult times, James and Fernanda (Loa Cho) Stanfield welcomed into this world on June 1, 1936, their third child, Gloria. The Stanfield household would grow to include eight children.

Born in Colon, Panama, Gloria was something of a tomboy growing up – athletic and always full of energy. Her natural vim and vigor was usually getting her into some kind of mischief – usually pulling a prank or two. Her neighbors were not always amused when fishing out small sharks Gloria had put in their pool. She and her father fostered a very special relationship and loved to go fishing together. He also entrusted her with shopping for the family and from this she learned to be very frugal when money was scarce. Gloria also enjoyed spending time with her mother in the kitchen. She was quite a creative cook and her specialty was exotic soups.

In 1956, Gloria met the love of her life, Lawrence H. Bean, who was in the Army at the time, through her sister. The couple dated for a year and was happily married on May 14, 1957, in Panama. The newlyweds moved to Sparta, Wisconsin until Lawrence was discharged and then moved back to Michigan, setting up house in Otsego Township. Here they were blessed with four children, Susan, Jacqueline, Lawrence and Paul, who brought great joy and happiness to the Bean household. Gloria was the consummate stay-at-home mom. She made it a point to be involved in all of her children’s activities. They, in turn, were blessed with an active and fun-loving mother, who made every day interesting. Gloria was very resourceful and could make the best of the simplest of things. She was an expert bargain hunter, which she did daily, and a bit of a pack rat – she liked to keep everything, including all her children’s school papers. As the children grew older, Gloria decided to work outside the home, being employed by the Plainwell Public Schools working in the cafeteria for 25 years.

Gloria was a devout Catholic and dedicated to her faith. She was a member of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Otsego, where she was very active in the church and its many activities. From being a member of the Legion of Mary to cleaning the church weekly and helping with funeral luncheons, Gloria was a help wherever she could. It brought her great comfort to watch mass on television twice a day. And at the age of 66, she had the face of Jesus tattooed on her wrist. She was truly a woman of faith.

Although she was very active in her church, family was the most important thing in Gloria’s life. She considered it a special time whenever they could get together. Gloria was happiest when her home was filled to the brim with friends and family, most often on the weekends. Her grandchildren were also very precious to her and she didn’t think anything of packing them and the pets into her little Chevy Chevette to go camping at her favorite spot near Baldwin, Michigan. Some of her favorite leisure activities included snowmobiling, dirt biking, playing (and winning) football pools and watching her favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon. The bright colors she wore were a good reflection of her cheerful personality and her patriotism was always evident by a flag pin on her collar.

Gloria was a very generous woman and was giving to a fault. Her kindness, in all its forms, touched many people’s hearts. She was also a good listener and made the time to be there for family and friends, never asking for anything in return. Friends of her children often times confided in Gloria and felt comfortable enough to call her mom. It is a huge heart that remembers to do the small things.

Gloria M. Bean, age 68 of Otsego Twp., died on Wednesday, September 15, 2004, at her home after a brief illness. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Tonia, Benita, Josephina and Carmen and brothers Fili and Marcello Stanfield. Members of Gloria’s family include her husband of 47 years, Lawrence H. Bean; daughters: Susan (Gilbert) Earle of Allegan, and Jacqueline (Trace) Youngs of Otsego; sons: Lawrence (Kim) Bean and Paul Bean both of Otsego; grandchildren: Lucretia Mahan, Peter, Trevor and Kyle Dendel, Ashlee Earle, Jamie Christman, Heather and Daryn Bean, Scott and Samantha Hendrixson, Cheyenne Youngs, Paul Bean Jr. and Andrew Bean; and great grandchildren: Kaylee Christman, Makaila, Ryan and Dylan Mahan, and Richard Fernandez- Earle. Learn more about Gloria, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Friday, September 17, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel. A scriptural service will be held on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the same location. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 18, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Otsego. Please visit Gloria’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to St. Margaret’s Catholic Church.

Gloria will be deeply missed, but her kindness, her unforgettable sense of humor and her passion for life endure as an example to all who knew her.