Gloria Platt, loving wife and mother, and delight to extended family and close friends, passed away in the early morning of September 8, 2021, at the age of 87. Genuine warmth and generosity of spirit are qualities that have never more contributed to the beauty of an individual. To say that she will be missed is a tremendous understatement.

Born in Gilroy, CA to Milio and Matilda Bellezza, Gloria grew up in a home adjacent to the orchard where her family grew plums to dry into prunes. She met her husband, Dick, at Gilroy High School. The sweethearts married in 1953 and started a family in Gilroy. At family gatherings in those early years, Gloria and Dick's relatives famously delighted whenever the young couple would dance. It became an event. They moved across the dance floor with a natural grace that turned heads.

By the end of their first decade together, the couple added a third child, moved to neighboring Morgan Hill, and started a business. They opened and operated a drive-in restaurant for many years before turning attention to first a gift shop and then a hardware store. Along the way, Gloria attended Hartnell College, earned a real estate license, and held several clerical jobs including the one at her son-in-law and daughter's Morgan Hill-based technology company, where she played a critical role well into her 80's.

Gloria would tell you that she focused foremost on her family, but that sincere mother's love reverberated in ways both big and small beyond her immediate family. For example, a little known fact: because one of her sons was interested in playing soccer where there was no local team to join in the late 1970's, it was Gloria's efforts that resulted in launching Morgan Hill's first youth soccer club, a club that has ultimately given so much to thousands of kids -- and it began in Gloria's living room!

The recent health challenges that Gloria faced with amazing bravery can never diminish the joyful and loving memories held by those who knew her best. Sweet and caring, a great listener who was quick to laugh, a savior to stray animals and source of strength to family and friends, Gloria Platt is survived by her husband, William Richard ("Dick") Platt; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Rick Wooden; sons, Charles "Chuck" Platt and Eric Platt; three granddaughters, Shelley (Ed) Coats, Kristi (Glenn) Harper and Kimberly Platt; and two great-grandchildren, Wade and Olivia, who adored their "NaMa."

Gloria's family would like to thank the people of With Grace Hospice. "We are so very grateful for the compassion and kindness that they showed our precious loved one when she needed it the most."

Services will be private.