Gloria Wood OBITUARY

Gloria Wood, vocal coach, musical director and actor, quietly passed away in her home on the Gualala Coast this past April, 2023. Beloved by so many, her passing is a loss to her family, close friends, and to the many students she mentored over her years as a vocal coach and musical director in the Bay Area and on the coast. Gloria earned her Masters Degree in vocal performance from San Francisco State, and following in the footsteps of her beloved vocal coach, the late Margaret Sheldon, she began teaching as well, providing warmth, support, and encouragement to her many students over the years. Along with her vocal coaching she was an active member of the San Francisco Opera chorus as well as the San Francisco Symphony chorus. Not only did Gloria have her private students but she also conducted a number of musical theater performance classes at Marin Musical Theater Co. and the Vector Theater Conservatory. She also performed in other Bay Area productions, including taking on the roles of Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd,” Golda in “Fiddler on the Roof,” and Dolly Levi in “Hello Dolly!.” She won the Bay Area Critics Award for her musical direction of “Once Upon a Mattress.” Gloria also provided musical direction and accompaniment to productions at Ross Valley Players as well as performing in Mountain Play shows including “Sound of Music,” “Music Man,” and “Annie.” Gloria lived most of her life in Larkspur before moving up to her favorite spot on earth, Gualala. She became an active member of the Gualala Arts Center where she became a vocal coach, wrote shows for local performers, and performed on the GAC stage many times. Gloria was, preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Arther Giddings, her sister Lorrayne Crozier (John), and her brother Dan Giddings (Joanne). She is survived by five nephews and nieces: Jack Crozier, Daniel Giddings Jr., Laura Barrett, Alec Giddings and Sandra Higareda, and their families. To Sandra she was Auntie Gloria and affectionately called “Glorium!!!” Gloria was a very dear friend to so many people, and a warm and loving teacher who dedicated her life to supporting and encouraging her students to develop their talents to their fullest potential. She was loved, adored and respected by all her family and friends. “her subtle wisdom influenced so many lives” Gloria loved animals and always lived with an array of pets, both domestic and wild. Any donations in her honor should be sent to WildCare Marin.