Anna “Gloria” Guzman

Anna “Gloria” Guzman, 63, of Salina, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Gloria was born October 12, 1960 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Manuel Guzman and Gladys (Cuellar) Guzman.  She lived most of her life in Kansas, moving to Salina with her family in 1974.  She graduated from Salina High School Central in 1978 and attended Kansas University. She graduated from Brown Mackie College and The International Travel Academy of St. Louis with degrees in Travel and Tourism.  Gloria’s first job was with Icelandair which took her to Reykjavik, Iceland for a short time.  She later took a job with Southwest Airlines and lived in Baltimore, Maryland for 10 years.  Gloria returned to Salina in 2001 and worked in Patient Accounts for St. John’s Hospital which later became part of Salina Regional Health Center.

Gloria was an avid KU Jayhawk basketball fan and rarely missed any games on TV, so her family and friends knew not to call her on game nights if they weren’t watching with her. And if watching with her, talking was allowed only during the commercial breaks.  She did attend several games at Allen Fieldhouse and had the opportunity to meet Mario Chalmers, her all-time favorite KU athlete.  Gloria was also an animal lover.  Growing up, she was usually the one caring for the family pets and never hesitated when asked to “pet-sit” for family and friends.  Her favorite hobbies were playing the piano, watching scary movies and traveling.  She had a large collection of DVDs which she shared with nieces and nephews who would watch with her, past their bedtime curfew .... with all the lights on.  She was referred to as the “cool” aunt. Working for the airlines, she never missed an opportunity to travel.  Being the selfless person Gloria was, she became her parents’ primary caregiver until they left their earthly home.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and an infant sister.  She is survived by a sister, Luci Larson (David) of Salina; brothers, Tony Guzman (Paulette) of Wichita and Andy Guzman (Avi) of Overland Park; nieces and nephews, Amanda Baker (Matt) of Republic, Mo.; Angela Larson (fiancé Alex Gray) of Salina; Danielle Querry (Dino) of Blue Springs, Mo.; Alex, Marta, and Matthew Guzman of Wichita; Carlos Guzman of Salina; Joey, Hannah, and Lina Guzman of Overland Park; great-nephews and great-niece Ethan, Noah and Abby Baker of Republic, Mo.; Dalton Querry of Blue Springs, Mo.

Family will receive friends at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, on Wednesday, November 8 at 6:00 p.m., sharing memories at 7:30 p.m., and concluding with a Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m.  Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 9 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Salina. Cremation will take place after the service with interment at Calvary Hill, Dallas, Texas at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Gentiva Hospice or Salina Animal Services.

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