GUEST POST from Don – Memorial

Several years ago Don posted about a very special lady: Gloria Hartman Doughty. And, sadly, tonight he shares more of her story, after recently saying good-bye. ~ Sherry

MEMORIAL
Gloria Hartman Doughty

Obituary link for those interested: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kentucky/name/gloria-doughty-obituary?id=58729069

Here’s a quote from the UK College of Pharmacy: “The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy mourns the passing of Gloria Doughty, a pioneering alumna, mentor, and advocate, who died on May 25, 2025, at the age of 98. Her remarkable life and legacy have left an enduring impact not only on the pharmacy profession but also on the countless lives she touched.”
https://pharmacy.uky.edu/news/remembering-gloria-doughty

In an earlier article from June, 2018 by c Kristie says: “With bright red hair and a smile for everyone, Gloria Doughty is an alumna who paved the way for women at the UK College of Pharmacy. Just shy of her ninety-first birthday, Doughty remembers her time at UK fondly. ‘I went to school almost before penicillin,’ she jokes.”
https://pharmacy.uky.edu/news/pharmacy-alumna-paves-way-women

My wife and I visited with her in her hospital room less than a week before her passing. She was not well but she still had her wit.

With the help of those who spoke at her memorial service at Wesley Village in Wilmore, Kentucky we saw more of her lust for life. As a resident of the Senior Living Center she involved herself in life there, too. She joined other residents to act in plays. She took time for music appreciation and attended lectures by learned writers and world travelers at the “Village.” She always had thoughtful questions for the guest speakers. Everyone who knew Gloria was impacted by her love of life.

Whether teaching, mentoring, singing, or filling prescriptions until age 90 she had a ready laugh and generous smile. She knew how to enjoy and share her joy. She was a friend to all who would accept a friend.

Can I admit it? My wife and I perhaps knew her least and only for a few years, yet we were impacted greatly by her life and death.

She was noticeable. Who could miss her flaming red hair? Who could miss her boisterous laugh? Who could miss her “presence” which lit the room? She played that part well.

She was intelligent. She knew many people and things. She knew pharmacology most of all, but she also knew music and history. She had traveled to Europe and Russia. She had read, and read, and read whatever she could get into her hands.

She was vibrant. Full of life, yes! Full of curiosity, yes! Full of faith, yes! With a full plate of knowledge and faith she had a deep assurance of her future with God.

We never asked her for her favorite time of day. I imagine it was sunrise. As a youth I didn’t like sunsets. The day was ending. I feel the same about the ending of a person’s life. However, I knew that in the morning the earth where I lived would turn again to face the sun and a new day would begin. I feel the same about the death of a believer. A new day is coming which never has a sunset; it is always light in God’s presence. God has greeted one of His beloved who placed her trust in Him. She probably laughed joyously at being in His presence. I imagine that God likes her.

You would have liked her, too.