Gloria ("Glo") S. Schmitz died Friday, May 1, 2015, at her home in Denton. She was 93. She was born on April 23, 1922, in Akron, Ohio, to James E. and Mary (Anderson) Spegal.

In Akron, she was a member of the Civic Opera Company and did solo church work starting at age 12.

Mrs. Schmitz graduated from the University of Akron in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. At the University of Akron she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and was awarded a Pixley Scholarship for her outstanding ability and promise in the field of music.

Recipient of a Knight Scholarship, in 1945, she obtained a Master of Arts from Teachers College, Columbia University where she studied voice instruction. While attending Teachers College, Schmitz performed professionally and did radio and concert work. She was scheduled to audition for the Metropolitan Opera but canceled the audition when she realized she wanted to teach.

That realization and a mentor's recommendation led her to Denton in the summer of 1945 for a teaching position at what is now Texas Woman's University. She soon met Denton native Jack F. Schmitz, Jr., whom she married on Aug. 22, 1946.

Mrs. Schmitz left TWU when she became pregnant; her daughter Janice was born the following year. When her daughter reached school age, Mrs. Schmitz returned to music education where for three decades she shared her talent, knowledge, and enthusiasm with Denton students at Stonewall Jackson and Sam Houston elementary schools. She achieved a reputation for outstanding and creative choral performances and for running a tight ship in her classroom.

Mrs. Schmitz was a longtime member of Denton's Ariel Club and with her husband a charter member of Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church.

In retirement, she traveled extensively with family and friends. More recently, she loved feeding birds and squirrels and hearing about the exploits of her "granddogs."

Highly devoted to family and friends, Mrs. Schmitz was known for her fierce loyalty, sense of fairness, and love of children, animals, and laughter.

Predeceased by her husband, Jack F. Schmitz, Jr., Mrs. Schmitz is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and John (Bud) Wittlif of Brownwood, Tex., a brother, Donn A. Spegal of St. Petersburg, Fla., and a number of adoring nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2015, at Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church, 623 Ector St., Denton. A reception in the parish hall will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Denton Humane Society, P.O. Box 1972, Denton, TX 76202, or VNA Ann's Haven Hospice, 325 W. McKinney, Suite 101, Denton, TX 76201.