Gloria May Trueg Delmar

Gloria May Trueg Delamar died August 13, 2016 from complications of stroke and other medical conditions. She was born 1928, the daughter of Albert C. and Margaret Old Trueg of Pittsburgh, PA. She attended Greenfield School and Taylor Alderdice High School, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Education and induction into Pi LamdaTheta honorary education fraternity. After teaching Kindergarten at Fort Pitt School for several years, she resigned to have a family and write. Her first book, Children’s Counting-Out Rhymes, Fingerplays, Jump-Rope and Bounce-Ball Chants, and Other Rhythms: A Comprehensive English-Language Reference, published in 1981, became a classic reference for teachers and counselors and is still in print today. Other books include Rounds Resounding; Circular Music for Voices and Instruments: An Eight century Reference, Mother Goose: From Nursery to Literature, Louisa May Alcott and “Little Women”: Biography, Critique, Publications, Poems, Songs, & Contemporary Relevance, The Wishing Handbook; More than 500 Ways to Make Your Wishes Come True, The Kitty Cow (due Summer 2016), and Mother Goose Family Fun & Cookbook: Rhymes & Recipes, Activities & Histories (Part 1 due Dec 2016).

Gloria was active in numerous organizations, including the National League of American Pen Women (serving as president of the Richmond VA, Philadelphia PA, and Pennsylvania State chapters); The American Association of University Women (serving as liaison to the Better Films and Television Council of Pittsburgh); Writers Whodunit and Saturday Writers (co-founded with her husband); and Philadelphia Writers Conference (board member since 1976, serving 4 terms as President and receiving the first community service award for volunteer activities with writing organizations). She also received several awards for her work with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out writing contest for middle schoolers in Abington, Cheltenham, and Jenkintown PA. She was also active in the Unitarian Society of Germantown (serving for many years as newsletter editor, adult education co-chair, two terms on the board of trustees and two terms as President).

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, William T. Delamar, and her children Graelie Delamar Leavel, Keltcie Delamar, Keallie Delamar Wozny, Dawson Delamar, and Crohan Delamar; grandchildren Hayley Wozny DeRoche, Stephen Wozny, and Trevor Wozny; and great-grandchild Winifred DeRoche.

The family requests “No Flowers.” Possible bequests may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, American Heart Association, or Elkins Park PA Library.

Services will be planned at the Unitarian Society of Germantown at a later time.