Glenda House's Obituary
Glenda Jean House of Fayetteville, Arkansas, died on December 9, 2023. She was 75 years old. Born July 2, 1948, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Anna Jean (Mount) House. Her father Franklin Joseph House was career military and the family moved frequently from base to base throughout the United States, Austria, and Germany. Through her travels she developed a great interest in, and love for, the diversity of humankind - most especially her life-long affection for the people and language of Germany.
After graduating high school in San Antonio, Texas, she was married to Jackson Grey Long, and gave birth to Sarah Elizabeth in 1971. A single mother much of her life, Glenda created loving homes for her and Sarah in Texas, Colorado, and Missouri, before moving to Fayetteville.
Dedication to the service of others was a hallmark of every phase and aspect of her life. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a master's degree in social work. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Glenda served clients at many organizations including Rape Crisis, Children’s House, The Women’s Shelter, Ozark Guidance Center, and Adult Day Care, before joining the faculty of the University of Arkansas. She later became Director of the Social Work Graduate Program, retiring in 2017. The many cards and notes of gratitude she has received from students and colleagues over the years were a great treasure to her.
An avid reader and pursuer of knowledge, she was especially interested in philosophy and science and was well known for her engaging dinner party conversation. A gifted quilter, knitter, gardener, and canner, she was famous for her ability to create gemütlichkeit - one of her favorite German words - meaning coziness, the warmth and delight of a welcoming home. It defined every place she and Sarah ever lived.
Glenda was preceded in death by her parents, her maternal grandparents Lowell and Eathol (Harlan) Mount, her paternal grandparents, Cecil and Bertha (Armstrong) House, and her niece, Julie Ann House. She is survived by her beloved daughter Sarah Elizabeth, her devoted brother Donald Jeffrey (Sabine Schmidt), nieces Mary Melinda (House) Payne (Forrest Payne) and Laura Jean House (Kevin Lorenzen), nephew Jason Anthony House (Shawn Stoner), as well as grandnieces and nephews Harmony House, Jake Tronzano, Luca Tronzano, Aubin Payne, Rayla Payne, Forrest Payne III, Emma House, and Violet House.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Glenda’s name to The Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. The family is especially appreciative of visiting hospice nurse Beth Duerr and the astonishingly caring team of doctors, nurses, aides, support staff, and volunteers. Their compassion and professionalism were instrumental in allowing Glenda and her family comfort and dignity during a very trying time.
A memorial service will be held at Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville on December 23 at 10am. Interment of ashes at Evergreen Cemetery, next to her beloved mother Anna Jean, will be a family service at a later date.
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