Gloria Jean “Glo” Dunnavan, 70, of Wilmington, N.C, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.
Gloria Jean was born Oct. 2, 1947, in Louisville, Ky., to J. Calvin and Betsy Dunnavan. She graduated from Pleasure Ridge Park High School in 1965, then attended the University of Kentucky, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology. Gloria Jean began her lifetime career in public service as an FDA inspector in Louisville and Nashville, Tenn.
She moved to Gaithersburg, Md., in 1979 to work as a compliance officer in the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, where she handled the center’s most complex and precedent-setting enforcement actions. She served as CVM’s director of the Division of Compliance for 10 years, and during that time, traveled the nation and the world as a globally recognized expert on mad cow disease.
Throughout her 35-year long career in the FDA, she was consistently recognized for her outstanding work and dedication to the safety of our food supply, earning many awards and honors including Vice President Gore’s Hammer Award, FDA’s Award of Merit, and several HHS Distinguished Service awards. After leaving the FDA, her expertise led to a second successful career as a consultant in food safety.
Upon her retirement, Glo lived her life to the fullest for 11 happy years in Wilmington, N.C. She enjoyed walking on the beach, attending concerts and performances, watching and reading science fiction, swimming at the Y with her friends and hosting her nieces, nephews and cousins at her beautiful beach cottage.
Whether they knew her as Gloria Jean, Bean Jean, G.J., or Glo, her friends and family will remember her quick wit, excellent conversational skills, thoughtful insights and generosity of spirit. She will be greatly missed by a great number of people whose lives she touched.
Her life will be celebrated at a visitation from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2, at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st St. A memorial service will be held from 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 3, at the funeral home’s chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the YWCA, Lower Cape Fear branch; or to Airlie Gardens.
Share online condolences with the family at wilmingtoncares.com.
