Gloria Lee (Watts) (Denbow) Mock

Gloria Lee (Watts) (Denbow) Mock, 98, of Norwalk, died at 4:28 P.M. on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Majestic Care of New Lexington. She was born September 19, 1927, in Brownsfield, a daughter of the late Albert and Mary (Jones) Watts.

Born in the late 1920s, Gloria was raised in Ohio and graduated from Hopewell High School in 1945. Soon after, she pursued further education at Meredith Business College in Zanesville, where she developed the strong clerical and administrative skills that would define her career.

Gloria began her working life in the mid-1940s, holding a variety of office positions throughout Newark and Zanesville. Over the next fifteen years, she served as a secretary to an attorney, worked for the owner of Jones Coal Company and a Zanesville newspaper, and held general office clerk positions with White Chevrolet Company, a local hardware business, and the Credit Bureau in Newark. These early roles reflected her strong work ethic and versatility.

In 1960, Gloria became Engineering Secretary to the Chief Engineer at Rockwell Manufacturing Company in Norwalk. After two years, she continued her professional growth at Norwalk Truck Lines, Inc., where from 1962 to 1967 she served in multiple key roles, including secretary to the Assistant to the President, Corporate Secretary, Vice President, and Director of Industrial Relations. She also contributed as secretary and supervisor for the Safety Department, demonstrating both leadership and organizational excellence.

During this period, Gloria continued her education, attending Bowling Green State University’s Sandusky and later Firelands branches between 1962 and 1965, completing coursework in liberal arts and secretarial science.

In 1967, Gloria began what would become the longest chapter of her professional life with Gould Inc., Elastomer Products Division in Milan, Ohio. Over twelve years, she served first as Engineering Secretary to the Vice President of Product Development, and later to the Manager of Product Engineering. In this role, she supported engineers, managers, and technical staff, managing office operations, coordinating travel, preparing reports, and maintaining vital departmental organization. Her work reflected a mastery of office systems, professionalism, and a deep commitment to excellence. She retired in 1979 to devote more time to her family and home, though she often remarked that she missed the daily rhythm of office life.

Beyond her career, Gloria was deeply engaged in professional and civic organizations. In 1967, she became a charter member of the Lake Erie Firelands Chapter of the National Secretaries Association (International). Over the years, she held numerous leadership roles, including President, Membership Secretary, and Parliamentary Advisor, and contributed to committees focused on education, scholarships, and professional development. At the state level, she served as Corresponding Secretary for the Ohio Division and participated in various committees. She was especially proud of her role as Co-Chairman of the 1982 Ohio Division Meeting, hosted in Huron, Ohio.

Gloria was also active in her local community. She was a 6o year member of Norwalk Methodist Church and a member of the Roundabout Reading Club of Norwalk, served as a trustee and committee leader at the First United Methodist Church, and contributed her time as a past advisor to the Business Education group at EHOVE School. Her civic involvement included serving as a precinct committeewoman and supporting healthcare efforts through the Fisher-Titus Medical Center Auxiliary. She also gave her time to the Volunteer Center of Huron County as a board member.

She found joy in many hobbies, including golfing, gardening, reading, walking, sewing, crocheting, playing the piano, interior decorating, bicycling, and traveling.

She is survived by her daughter, Jeanie (T.A.) Denbow-Slade; four step children; three grandchildren, Ryan Evans, Laura Evans and Kyle Evans; a great granddaughter, Sydney Baines; a sister Connie Young; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Gloria is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Mock; a son, Jimmy Denbow; and three siblings, Richard Watts, Ronnie Watts and Patty Flynn.

Private Graveside Services will be held at a later date and a cremation will take place under the direction of BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1271 BLUE AVENUE, ZANESVILLE, AT OUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED CREMATORY.

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