Danbury resident Gloria J. Hibbard, 94, has died

Gloria J. Hibbard, 94, of St Augustine, FL and Danbury, CT, passed away peacefully at Danbury Hospital on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, following a period of declining health.

Daughter of the late Allan Carl and Lillian (Bremer) Johnson, Gloria was born in Danbury and raised in Bethel, CT. She attended Bethel schools and remained a lifelong friend to several of her Bethel classmates.

Gloria graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, MA with a degree in Fashion and Interior Design. After college, Gloria worked for the Sherwin Williams Company as its first female traveling color consultant. Offering group presentations, seminars and radio interviews throughout the New England region, she shared her unique flair for color with a wide post-war audience.

Gloria married Harold J. Hibbard in 1952. They raised four daughters in New Fairfield, CT in a mid-century modern home that she designed.  

Gloria was devoted to her children. Their well-being and continued education served as guiding forces, and she relished introducing them to history and art, with multiple trips to museums and sites throughout the U.S. In later years, she enjoyed travel, especially cruises, through Europe and the Caribbean.

In the late 1960s Gloria returned to work as an interior design consultant at the D.M. Read Company in Danbury. In the early 1970's, personally recruited by company co-founder Nathan S. Ancell, Gloria left Read's to work for the Ethan Allen Corp. at their new headquarters in Danbury. She relocated to St Augustine, FL in 1984 but continued to work for Ethan Allen in Florida until she retired in the early 1990's.    

She volunteered with the Junior Service League, American Cancer Society, the Ladies Guild of St Edwards Church, the Girl Scouts of America, and other organizations. Gloria was also an avid gardener and a member and officer of the St Augustine Garden Club, participating annually in the city’s Tour of Homes. After retirement, she also served for many years as a volunteer docent at the Lightner Museum in St Augustine. 

Gloria is predeceased by her former spouse Harold J. Hibbard, her youngest daughter Patrice (Patty) A. Hibbard, and her son-in-law Vincent Holbrook of Stoneham, MA. She is survived by her other three daughters, Crystelle M. Hibbard of Danbury, with whom she made her home in later years, Cheryl M. Hibbard (Mark G. McLaughlin) of Peterborough, NH, and CarolAnn (Kitty) Hibbard of Stoneham, MA, as well as two grandchildren, Ryan C. Hibbard McLaughlin (James Pond) of Athol, MA, and Campbell B. Hibbard McLaughlin (Ann Ferrante) of Bend, OR.

An animal lover who could not contemplate life without pets, Gloria cherished a succession of German shepherds, English sheepdogs, and countless beloved cats. Gloria also leaves behind her special feline friend, Holly, who provided years of welcome company and entertainment in both Florida and Danbury.

To honor Gloria’s wishes, services will be held privately at a later date.