How do you sum up your mother in a few paragraphs? Here we go. Gloria Diana Rist. Born Nov.5, 1941 in Oakland. Passed Feb. 16, 2026. She was adopted by her mother, Ruth, and Mac McLachlan from an orphanage, weighing 4 pounds. My grandma had the choice of her or a healthy baby boy. She was chosen, and boy did she bring an amazing life to her mother.

She had five beautiful daughters: Faith, Karen, Robyn, Sarah and Leaha. She loved her daughters more than they know. She found the love of her life later in life, Billy Rist, who passed five years ago. They had a true love you rarely see.

Gloria was not only a mother, she was a homemaker, school bus driver, housekeeper, seamstress, cake decorator, registered nurse, a comedian and a lover of good-looking men (inside joke). She had a fun personality. She had a soft spot for kids and people down on their luck. She gave the best hugs. She has numerous grandkids and greats. She loved you all so much: Dezi, Cody, Jason, Beth, Rachel, Cass, Kenna, Dan, Connor and Paige. She loved fairies and hot, sexy men!

A deep, heartfelt thanks to Dr. Heidmann and all the staff at PACE and Timber Ridge. A celebration of life will be at a later date. As mom would say, “toot a loo, go back to bed, and above all find her a hot sexy man.”

Goodbye for now, our beautiful momma.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Gloria Rist’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.