Gloria Bivens
1940-2024
It is with heavy hearts that the family announces her sudden passing, of natural causes, at her residence in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada at the age of 83.
Gloria Bivens (Heydon/Barnier), the celebrated Dixieland trombonist/ and Travel Agent, who resided in Canada and the USA … from Seminole, Florida, died peacefully in her sleep June 13th, Thursday morning at her home in Cedar Beach, Kingsville, Ontario. She would have observed her 84th birthday July 11th.
Gloria, the “GOAT” of the Trombone, filled our hearts and homes with the joy of music for many years.
Gloria had a free and individual spirit with great talents that added richness and pleasure to those around her. She always looked forward and looked for good in whatever happened. She loved to laugh, sing, garden, cook, and enjoyed a good joke.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan, her family moved to Kingsville, Ontario when she was just 6 years old. Before Gloria was out of her teens, her musical legacy started when she had become a familiar presence at many music festivals and competitions around the Windsor and Essex County area.
She began playing trombone at the age of 6. Gloria’s love of music brought her and her fans many glorious years of professional entertainment. She was a member of the Kingsville & Essex Associated Marching Band from the 1950’s (under the direction of Mr. Robinson) continuing through the 1970’s performing with Band Master, Jim Barnett. She graduated from Kingsville District High School.
She was the only woman locally at the time in the Windsor area blowing a sassy Dixieland and Big Band trombone style sound through 1960’s. Her musical legacy includes multiple performances with traditional jazz, Dixieland, swing, and the big bands from Windsor, Detroit, Chicago, and the Florida area.
Gloria pursued a passionate interest in Travel and Tourism for over 45 years. Her travel journeys have taken her to all corners of the globe. (Gloria, you are Emily Earhart of Travel!) She was the proud owner of Advantage Travel in the 1980’s, Pinellas Park, Florida, for over 15 years. Gloria fully retired from the travel business in 2001.
Gloria will be forever remembered and loved by her only child, Joni R. Bivens; beloved grandson, Jeremy A. Ortman, and his wife Sarah Ortman; and loving great-grandchildren, Athena J. Ortman (North Carolina) and Olivia Stuart (Florida), her only predeceased sibling: Thomas A. Barnier.
Loving wife of 30 years, predeceased husband William (Bill) K. Heydon (of Walkersville, ON and Seminole, Florida). Daughter of the late Eunice Yvonne Traynor (Barnier/Ouellette) from Pelee Island and Cedar Beach, Kingsville. Daughter of the late Ernst A. Barnier (from Dearborn, MI).
She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by many cousins and close friends.
Gloria, the world may have known your unconventional beauty, and yet, tough exterior but for those of us who loved you, we knew the woman with the heart of a lion, caring and brave, always ready to defend the broken and less fortunate. You will always be remembered in our hearts, never forgotten. ❤️
Gloria, the “GOAT” of the Trombone. Farewells are never easy to say to those who have found their way into our hearts. Until our paths cross again … We will never forget you!
*We Love You, (Joni, Jeremy, & Athena) ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Gloria’s wishes were that she had no funeral. A celebration of her life will be announced at a future date.
Memorial Donations may be made to Erie Shores Hospice (194 Talbot Street West Suite 210, Leamington, ON N8H 1N8) or Boots on the Ground Peer Support for First Responders (P.O. Box 2183, Angus, ON L0M1B0).
Arrangements entrusted to Kendrick Funeral Home, Kingsville. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kendrickfuneralhome.com.
Donations
Donations are being accepted for:
♥ Erie Shores Hospice
♥ Boots on the Ground Peer Support for First Responders (BOOTS ON THE GROUND PEER SUPPORT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS)