Background
She was born at the Salvation Army Hospital, North Fitzroy on the 19 February 1919. She grew up in the Greensborough area and went to Greensborough School.
She was born at the Salvation Army Hospital, North Fitzroy on the 19 February 1919. She grew up in the Greensborough area and went to Greensborough School.
At the age of 14, she left school and attended Stott"s Business College to train as a typist.
She also suffered from epilepsy. Her parent were John and Cecil Gertrude Smith. She was the youngest of six children - Jack, Oriel (known as Judy), Elsie, Roma and Vincent.
Alf Pascoe died in 1988.
At the age of 9 whilst playing basketball in the school playground she lost consciousness. She was diagnosed as having epilepsy.
As her life progressed, her eyesight was deteriorating. At the age of 55, she became totally blind.
She received assistance from the Association for the Blind in Kooyong on how to live without sight.
The Association formed a Blind Bowling Club and held its first Blind Bowls Championship at the Street Kilda Bowling Club. She played bowls four years before becoming totally blind. She was able to play pennant bowls with sighted bowlers.
In 1987, the Association for the Blind bestowed on her Life Membership for services to the Association.
A book was published on her life - Gloria: light in the dark by Gloria Pascoe and Bruce Pascoe.