Gloria Kronz Marden

Gloria married LeRoy “Tuffy” Kronz on Feb. 6, 1954, and they had four children together in Perrysburg, N.Y. LeRoy took over Kronz’s Garage, the family business, expanding it to include a truck and car dealership. While raising the young children, Gloria went back to school and earned her degree as a dental hygienist. She worked several years for the former Dr. Robert E. Watson’s dental practice in Gowanda. In 1974, the dealership was destroyed by a fire and shortly after, the family relocated to California near Gloria’s parents where Gloria and Roy started rebuilding their lives. They settled in Cardiff-by-the-Sea near San Diego, where Gloria continued her career working for a dental group in the area. Leroy eventually opened K&S Service, an auto service center in Kearny Mesa. Gloria joined him to run the office and was a big part of the day-to-day operations. In 1983, Gloria collaborated with her son, Steven to purchase a three-story Victorian house in a neglected section of San Diego. They restored and converted it into a fine dining restaurant which included a top-floor gallery for area artists and named it La Maison 5th Ave. It was a local favorite and one of the first establishments to inspire the rebirth of the Hillcrest area of the city.

In 1991, Gloria and LeRoy sold the businesses and retired to Titusville on the east coast of Florida. They enjoyed traveling and also spending time back in Western New York until LeRoy passed away in March of 1996. Gloria relocated to Fort Meyers where she lived until 2002. In 2001, she met Charles Marden. They were married in 2002 and resided in North Port, Fla., until Charlie passed away in 2013. From late in 2019, Gloria spent over a year and a half in Perrysburg, N.Y., living with her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Tim. Most recently, she lived near her daughter, Brenda and her family in Allentown, Pa.

Gloria felt that her mission in life was to care for others. She was always watching over someone, ready to help out. She provided many a friend or family member with sage advice and loving attention. Gloria loved to dance, play the piano, and work in her garden tending her tomatoes and flowers. She woke up early each day to watch the sun rise with a cup of coffee and her newspaper. She never missed a chance to enjoy a glass of wine looking out at her beautiful surroundings as dusk created colorful skies over the water. Gloria was never without a book to read nor a project to complete. She created stained glass art, knitting many blankets and shawls, made lots of colorful woven mats and knotted over 35 blankets for family and friends to enjoy. There is love in every item. She worked diligently helping construct 300 masks which were then donated to healthcare workers during COVID.

Survivors include her children: a son, Michael Kronz (Katie) of Madison, Wisc; two daughters: Sharon Noecker (Tim) of Perrysburg, and Brenda Rendina (David Lilly) of Allentown, Pa., Charlie’s children: William Marden and Barbara Leaf-Maseman; grandchildren: Matthew Noecker (Ashley), Michelle Valone (Jeremy), Mary Stratton (Patrick), Spencer Kronz (Kristin), Bradley Kronz (John), Paige Lilly-Ivens (Bill), and William and Barbara’s children. Gloria is also survived by great-grandchildren: Abigail, Sophia, Meredith, Dylan, Caden, Savannah, Vivian, Felicity Ivy and Cameron.

Gloria Kronz Marden

In addition to her parents, husband, LeRoy (1996) and husband, Charles Marden (2013), Gloria was preceded in death by a son, Steven R. Kronz (1995); and a brother, Robert D’Agostini (2021) (wife, Jan survives).

Cremation was private. A gathering of friends and relatives will celebrate her life in July of this year. Contributions in honor of Gloria may be made to:ALS Association, PO Box 37022, Boone, IA. 50037-0022or Perrysburg Volunteer Fire Dept”Kronz Relief Fund,” 12006 Main St., Perrysburg, NY 14129