Gloria Joan Melin

Gloria Joan Melin, a longtime resident of Fountain Hills, passed away at home on October 25, 2026, at the age of 88. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Gloria and her husband, Fred, spent a decade as snowbirds before making Fountain Hills their permanent home in 2018. Her family was her life and her proudest achievement. She would do anything for her large family. Sunday dinners were always at Mom's, and Christmas was especially precious to her. Her home filled with many more children than she had ever given birth to, and she welcomed every one of them. She also loved karaoke, where she was happiest listening to Fred sing. Gloria is survived by her husband, Fred; her children Skip (the late Toni), Colleen (Mel Smith), and Freddie (Shelley); her grandchildren Brian, Jenny, Lisa, Tracy, Sarah, Sean, James, Rachel, and Kristi; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her children, Cookie Busquaert (survived by her husband, Mike) and Mark Cleary, and her granddaughter Carrie. A Celebration of Gloria's Life will be held at a future date