Lifelong Northern Nevada resident Gloria B. Tharp, 76, died June 17, 2004, at home in Carson City. She was born Aug. 29, 1927, in Reno to Cecelia and Fred Birdsall.
She graduated from Reno High School in 1945. She married John Smith Feb. 14, 1948, and they lived in Sparks with their three children.
Mrs. Tharp was a pianist, performing for family, friends and at church. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in Relief Society and taught Sunday school.
On June 24, 1974, she married Clarence Tharp of Long Beach, Calif. They traveled extensively and enjoyed sailing, river rafting and RVing. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, tending exotic fish and birds.
Mrs. Tharp retired from Washoe Medical Center in 1988 and Urologic Associates in 1991. She worked with Easter Seals and numerous other medical and nonmedical Reno businesses, volunteering for local associations and projects.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1992, granddaughter Erika Smith in 1985, and grandson Leif Hepfler in 1995.
Among her survivors are her brother and sister-in-law, Wallace and Martha Birdsall; daughter and son-in-law, Joy and Tony RIiley of Lake Limerick, Wash.; son and daughter-in-law Christopher and Marlin Smith of Lancaster, Tenn.; son Eric Smith of Carson City; grandchildren Jonathan Smith of Carson City, Andrea and Christian Smith of Moscow, Idaho, Nathan and Eric Smith of Palouse, Wash., Benjamin, Ashley and Brittany Smith of Lancaster, Tenn., and Ryan Jones of Olympia, Wash.; great-granddaughter Elana Jones of Olympia; and nieces and nephews.
Cremation will be at FitzHenry's Crematory. FitzHenry's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
