Gloria June Ardery

Gloria June Ardery, beloved widow of Carlton B. Ardery, Jr., loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at the age of 91, surrounded by her children.

Gloria was born on March 7, 1933 in Huntington, New York to John and Adelaide Rupakis. Gloria was a talented artist, and her desire was to become a fashion designer. Her mother encouraged her to pursue a more practical career in the secretarial field. Upon her graduation from Huntington High, Gloria moved to the Big Apple and worked her first job in the Empire State Building as the secretary to the head of sales for a major electronics company on the 80th floor. Fate intervened when Gloria’s best friend told her of a secretarial position at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, New York. It was at Republic Aviation where Gloria met and fell in love with a test pilot named Carl Ardery. The two married on Long Island in 1959, and not long after, Carl’s job moved them to the small town called Fort Walton Beach; a big shock to the girl from the Big City. It was here they started a family, having two children, Ann and Breck. 

Sadly, in 1965, she tragically lost her husband when his F-105 broke apart over the Gulf of Mexico. Gloria chose to stay in Fort Walton Beach, where she raised her children alone for the next eighteen years.

Gloria had so much love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Inspired by Julie Child, Gloria was a passionate cook, and one expression of her love was the meals she prepared for her family and friends. She was a caring and thoughtful person who always helped those around her in need, whether it was bringing them a pot of soup or sneaking $20 into a needy friend’s purse. Even in her last months, Gloria demonstrated her caring and concern for others, and was always a ray of sunshine to her friends at Westwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility.

She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Carlton B. Ardery, Jr.; her parents, John and Adelaide Rupakis; and her brother, Robert Rupakis.   

She is survived by her daughter, Ann McGuire; her son, Breck Ardery; her sister, Robin Roth; her grandson, Conor McGuire; her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Aidan and Victoria McGuire; and her great grandchildren, Jackson, Declan, and Magnolia June. 

A Funeral Service will be held Sunday, April 28, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Mary Esther, 28 North Street, Mary Esther, Florida, 32569 beginning at 2:30 p.m. A Visitation will take place prior beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the caregivers at Westwood Nursing and Rehabilitation and Emerald Coast Hospice.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice.