Gloria Delores Wathen

Gloria D. Wathen, 94, passed away peacefully at Ohio Living Rockynol on June 25, 2026, surrounded by her family.

She was born on September 25, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, to Joseph and Alexandra (Alice) Kowaleski. Gloria graduated from Mundelein (Loyola) College with a degree in chemistry and later earned a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois. She dedicated many years of her career as a research chemist at Goodyear. Gloria was a lifelong member of the American Chemical Society, the ACS Rubber Division, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

She was a devoted member of St. Sebastian Church and the Christ Child Society for more than 50 years. She gave her time, faith, and talents generously. Gloria volunteered with Akron Children's TWIG Groups and the Good Samaritan Soup Kitchen. She loved to antique, garden, knit, play bridge, travel to the national parks and spend time with her family.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Tom M. Wathen; her parents, Alexandra and Joseph Kowaleski; her sister, Eileen A. Kowaleski; and her granddaughter, Emily Wathen.

She is survived by her children, Linda Heffern, Mary (Neal) Thomas, Elizabeth Clough, Thomas (Tracey) Wathen, and Theresa (Robert) Depinet; 14 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Cole) Derby, Mary Heffern, Thomas (Lyndsey) Heffern, Richard Thomas, Alexandra (Aaron) Eads, Katherine (Charles) Lasher, Anne Clough, Janet (Nick) Stormer, Margaret Clough, John (Alanna) Wathen, Joseph Wathen, Henry Wathen, Nicholas Depinet, and Madeline (Kaitlyn) Kowaleski; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ohio Living Rockynol and Miracle City Hospice for the love and support they provided to Gloria.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, OH 44320, with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Private interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The mass will be livestreamed on St. Sebastian's YouTube Channel, the link is below.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christ Child Society or St. Sebastian Church.