Lucille F. David's Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Lucille F. David (Jackson) — known as Gloria to her friends and Gigi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She passed away, surrounded by loved ones, during Easter week 2025, at the age of 100.
Gloria was a formidable woman, well ahead of her time. She was a 46-year breast cancer survivor, whose strength and determination defined much of her life. She lived in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance and, alongside her father, attended vaudeville shows at the Lafayette Theater. She fondly remembered seeing her Uncle Andrew play guitar and banjo for Chick Webb and Blanche Calloway at the Apollo Theater.
At 17, Gloria worked for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (now the IRS) and trained on a comptometer, the first commercially successful mechanical calculator. She later attended the Pratt Institute where she studied to become a dietitian. She interned at Governor’s Hospital and went on to work at Montefiore Hospital as a metabolic diet-aide.
In 1952, Gloria joined the New York Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. Over the years, she held numerous positions, eventually becoming a draftsman in 1974, a role she held until her retirement in 1980.
Gloria was married to Vincent David from September 1956 until his passing in 2023, a loving 66-year partnership. She was previously married to Calvin C. LaRoche.
Gloria and Vincent were devoted dog lovers and avid travelers and together took 24 trips over the 42 years spanning 1967 to 2009. In their later years, they were devoted parishioners at All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland, where they were active members of the congregation from 2001 to 2021.
Gloria was also a talented visual artist, an avid gardener, an excellent cook, and seamstress known for her attention to detail, high standards, and impeccable household. Her aesthetics were reflected in how she dressed, her garden, and her artwork. She was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society, an international women’s “playgroup” that encourages women in “their quest to get the most out of life.” Gloria certainly lived true to that.
Gloria was predeceased by her only child, Calvin C. LaRoche, who passed away just ten days before her.
Gloria was the proud grandmother of five: Gina LaRoche (Alan Price), Renée LaRoche Morris (Ralston Morris), Danielle Janifer LaRoche, Calvin “CJ” LaRoche, and Ethan LaRoche.
She was also the beloved great-grandmother of Jackson and Griffin Price, Grace and James Morris, and Jade and Miles King. Her legacy lives on in each of them.
What’s your fondest memory of Lucille?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lucille?
Share a story where Lucille's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lucille you’ll never forget.
How did Lucille make you smile?