Gloria Elizabeth Sundback

Gloria Elizabeth Sundback, 88, of Shepherdstown, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at her residence.

Born July 10, 1926, in Reading, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Charles Hunter and Laura Fisher Hunter.

Gloria received her B.S. in Chemistry from Bucknell University, and later received her Master’s in Chemistry from Syracuse University. She was the first woman at the New York State School of Forestry. Gloria was the first and only four-time international grand champion tree grower, and presented four 18-foot trees for the Blue Room of the White House. She was also a Fellow at the Garden Conservancy.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Eric Sundback, at home; one daughter, Kristin Sundback and husband, Stephen Strom, of Chevy Chase, Maryland; one son, Mark Sundback and wife, Joy Pritts, of Chevy Chase; one brother, Charles Hunter of Richmond, Virginia; two grandchildren, Nicholas Sundback of Claremont, California, and Bernadette Sundback of Salt Lake City, Utah; and one niece, Lorah Hunter of Richmond.

Services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, with Chaplain Bruce Hansen officiating.

Interment was in Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430; or to Shepherdstown Day Care Center, P.O. Box 388, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.