Gloria Low

Gloria Low, 80 of Warwick, who worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for many years passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family in the West View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Warwick on March 5, 2023 after a long illness.

Gloria was born in Providence, to the late N. Axel and Ebba V.I. (Hammar) Soderberg and grew up in Cranston.  She was married to the late Kenneth J. Low Sr. for 28 years after which they remained on cordial terms with each other and close to members of each other’s families.  Gloria spent most of her life in Cranston until moving to Warwick in the early 2000s.

She is survived by her three children, Dawn Jones-Low of Ferrisburgh, Vermont (Thomas Jones-Low), Robin Low of Warwick, and Kenneth Low Jr. of Cranston, her brother Harry Soderberg of Cypress, Texas (Rebecca Soderberg [Dukes]), four grandchildren Samantha, Kenneth, Shawn, and Mya Low, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves several cousins in the US and Sweden and many lifelong and beloved friends.

She graduated from Cranston High School (now Cranston East) in 1960 and graduated from the Rhode Island Practical Nursing Course in 1962 earning her license a few months later in 1963.

For more than 40 years Gloria worked as an LPN in private duty elder care, nursing homes, and at the ACI -- always treating her patients with care and dignity.  After retiring as an LPN she volunteered as a senior companion for several years.  She was an active member of the Pioneer Lodge No. 506 of the Vasa Order of America, a Swedish-American fraternal organization for many years.  She enjoyed playing the accordion and keyboard.  In her later years, she delighted in making many friends in the local country music community.

Gloria’s deeply caring nature was evident in how she was always willing to help neighbors, friends, and relatives with tasks and with companionship. During the Blizzard of ’78 when many of the staff couldn’t get to work, she volunteered to go in to cover shifts at the Bannister House Nursing Home in Providence because she lived just a few miles away so the National Guard could pick her up via a snowmobile.  In the late 90s when her mother began to have short-term memory loss, Gloria lovingly cared for her at home until her mother’s needs exceeded what one caretaker could manage.  She always thought of others and stepped up to run errands, visit with folks in the hospital or in nursing homes, and contribute in various ways to take care of family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday March 11, 2023 at 10:30am in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston.  Visitation will be held on Saturday morning prior to the Funeral Serice beginning at 9:00am.  Burial will follow in Pawtuxet Memorial Park Cemetery Warwick.  Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to VNA of Care New England Foundation Philanthropy Building #2 171 Service Avenue Suite #301 Warwick, RI 02886 direct link: https://www.vnacarenewengland.org/donate-now