A beloved Mid Wales community figure known for her vibrant dress sense, infectious smile, and willingness to help others has sadly died at the age of 84.
Gloria Lewis, of Sennybridge, passed away following an eight-month battle with leukaemia at Nevill Hall Hospital. She had previously beaten another form of cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proudly named after her father’s Royal Artillery cap badge, Gloria was born in Cumberland in 1940. Her father, Joe Jackson, was a Regimental Sergeant Major in the Royal Artillery and spent much of her early life serving in Burma.
One of Gloria‘s first recollections was meeting her dad as a five-year-old at Tenby train station.
She spent much of her early life between Battersea and Tenby, where she attended school.
In her early years, Gloria was a dancer and a beauty queen for various constituencies within the London and Surrey area. She originally trained as a GPO telephonist.
Inspired by her love of craft, she trained as an occupational therapist before setting up her own wedding and bridesmaid dressmaking business. It was through this work that she met her husband, David, and together they had two children, Gemmadee and Craig.
While visiting relatives in Sennybridge in 1986, Gloria discovered that the local fish and chip shop was up for sale. Eager to return to the countryside and provide a better life for her young family, she set about making plans to buy it. That same year, The Happy Fryer was given a fresh new look, with a striking black and white exterior and vibrant flower boxes – a tradition that continues to this day.
Over 38 years, The Happy Fryer evolved from a traditional fish and chip shop into a beloved fancy dress shop, making the transition in 2003.
Throughout this time, Gloria was actively involved in the local community, taking part in the Sennybridge Carnival, Westenders productions, and the Young Farmers Club.
She often made and supplied costumes on demand purely for the love of it, using her keen eye and skill to create designs without the need for patterns.
Gloria was well known not only within local Young Farmers Clubs but also in surrounding counties. Although the fancy dress business had closed many years earlier, she kept the stock and was always ready to help. Whenever there was a competition or play, people knew to “just phone Gloria” for help.
A keen royalist, Gloria witnessed several royal weddings and never missed an opportunity to dress up for royal occasions. She was also a proud owner of an outfit once worn by Princess Anne.
Gloria’s daughter, Gemmadee Lewis said: “Mum was well known wherever she went. Often to be seen in her favourite colour pink, Mum and was a larger-than-life character who would say it as it is.”
“Her infectious laugh and smile could not be matched, and she had a way of seeing the funny side to life and making people laugh,” she added.
Gloria Lewis’ funeral will take place at Defynnog Church in Sennybridge at 1pm on Saturday, May 24. In keeping with her wishes, the service will be as pink as possible, reflecting her dislike of wearing black and dark colours. A celebration of her life will follow at Sennybridge Community Hall from 2:30pm.