Gloria Idona Kent

Former longtime Cortez resident, Gloria Idona Kent, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona, after a brief illness. She was 89 years old.

Gloria was born on September 11, 1935, in Cortez to Viola (Rosmiller) and Raymond Taylor. Her father taught in various one-room schoolhouses in the Cortez region before opening Taylor’s Grocery at the intersection of Main and Maple, in the building that now houses Notah Dineh. From a young age, Gloria assisted her parents in the grocery store, instilling in her a strong work ethic that would shape her life.

 Gloria graduated from M.C.H.S. in 1954 and pursued her education at the University of Colorado. She married her high school sweetheart, Delmer Kent. After Delmer completed pharmacy school, they settled in Durango before returning to Cortez to establish Kent’s Rexall Drug in the location of Taylor Market. They ran the store plus a ranch in Mancos until 1987. After relocating to Mesa, Gloria worked in the hospitality industry in the corporate offices of Ramada and Choice Hotels.

 In her free time, Gloria enjoyed various hobbies, including creating intricate mosaics, crafting stained glass art, weaving, and caring for her beloved dogs and cats. She also cherished her travels, visiting captivating destinations such as Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, and Tunisia.

 For 64 years, Gloria was devoted to caring for her daughter, Sheila, a commitment that continued until the moment of her passing.

 Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, husband Delmer, sister Sandy, and oldest son Rodney. She is survived by her son Tim of Big Sky, MT; daughter Sheila of Mesa, AZ; son Mitch (Jennifer) of New York, NY; granddaughter Nikki Beery (Mike) of Northglenn, CO; grandson Alec Kent of Ft. Collins, CO; granddaughter Aubrie Kent of Philadelphia, PA; and great grandsons Rylan and Cameron Beery of Northglenn, CO.

 Family members will scatter Gloria’s ashes in the San Juan Mountains, at the same spot where Delmer’s ashes were previously scattered.