It is with great sadness that The Ebell announces the passing of Gloria Droguett, on July 25 aged 87. Gloria was a much-loved and highly valued Ebell member, active for 42 years, serving three times on the Board as Treasurer (1999), Recording Secretary (2003-4) and Vice President (2004-6). She was a constant and dedicated member of the Scholarship Committee and the Rest Cottage Association for over 30 years and served as Chairman of the Adrians of Ebell (1982), Chairman of Theatre Rentals (1992-3) and Chairman of the Ebell Centennial Committee, to name but a few posts held throughout her many years of service. Gloria was also a member of the War Assistance League, the Society of Preservation of Variety and Performing Arts, the Research Institute of America, Job’s Daughters (past honored queen), the Girls Club Auxiliary and a longtime chapter member and past president of the local PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization).
Gloria Gremillion Droguett was born February 13, 1934 in New Orleans, on Mardi Gras Day. Family lore has it that Gloria’s father, Wade, had to assist at the birth as there were no sober doctors in New Orleans that day. And Gloria always did love Mardi Gras!
Gloria’s family moved to Los Angeles when she was eight years old and Wade continued his career as a restaurant maitre d’, including the famed Brown Derby in Hollywood. Gloria was an excellent student. She attended Virgil Junior High and was made Class Valedictorian of her 12th grade class at Belmont High School. Though she was awarded a number of scholarships, the family was unable to make the stretch to send her to higher education.
In 1954, at the age of 21, she married acclaimed artist Rudy Droguett in the Little Brown Church in the Valley, and went on to produce two sons, Larry and Darrell. When the boys were in middle school she began to work outside the home as an Executive Assistant in TV production, amongst other fields, where, according to son Darrell, in typical Gloria fashion, she became instantly indispensable to anyone she worked for.
Gloria joined The Ebell on October 23, 1979. Her best friends and ‘partners in crime’ were Ebell stalwarts Gloria Carroll, Betty Jean Shea and Ivada Parker. In the words of her son, Darrell: “She simply loved The Ebell.” She was a wonderful docent on tours of The Ebell, using her incredible memory to relate so many historic tales of events that took place in the various rooms.
Gloria was instrumental in getting The Ebell accepted into the Rose Bowl Parade to celebrate The Ebell’s 100th year, in 1994. She was also involved with the application to the National Register of Historic Places, which was awarded to The Ebell that same year.
Gloria with husband of 60+ years: Rudy
“She knew the entire staff,” recalls Kay Balue “and remembered the names of their families and what was happening in their lives. She cared about people.”
Former Ebell President Loyce Braun added: “To me, Gloria was the long memory of The Ebell. She worked so diligently on so many projects that she knew intimately the practices, efforts, accomplishments and inside history of The Ebell.”
Gloria leaves her husband, Rudy, two sons, Larry and Darrell, and a grandson, Austin.
For those wishing to make a donation in Gloria’s name, please follow this link to go to the family GoFundMe page.
Gloria (front center) with present and past Presidents at Philip Miller’s retirement party: from left to right President Patty Lombard, Loyce Braun, Kay Balue, Ginger Barnard, Jane Martin, Kelley Nelson, Fluff McLean, Kay Lachter
