Gloria May Franklin Hancock, 72, of 706 Pennsylvania Avenue East, died Friday (January 22, 2016) at Warren General Hospital following a short illness.

She was born October 17, 1943, in Warren, Pa., the daughter of the late Willard and Louise Knopf Franklin, and was a lifelong resident of Warren. Gloria was a member of Starbrick Community Church. She was employed with Warren Area Agency on Aging prior to her retirement. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends, was an avid reader and loved watching westerns, Murder She Wrote, House and Psych. Mostly, she loved to be with her family, especially her grandsons, Noah and Cy. Gloria grew up on Yankee Bush Road and loved to spend time outdoors riding her horse, Trixie. Later, she enjoyed canoe racing with her husband and many other hobbies including coin and Zippo collecting. She considered everyone a friend and even in her last days she continued to enchant those around her. Cambridge, Warren General Hospital and Hospice caregivers were loved dearly by her, especially "Mr. Brown," whom she befriended in the Emergency Room during her final stay and who could light up her smile just by walking in the room. Her family is forever grateful for the love they shared with her throughout the years.

Gloria is survived by two daughters, Autumn Ditonto and her husband Patrick, and Heidi Ekey and her husband Dana, all of Warren; her brother, Freeman Franklin and his wife, Jackie, Warren; two grandsons, Noah and Cy Powley, Warren; her sister-in-law, Marlene Franklin, Warren; two brothers-in-law, Ted Wiltsie, Warren, and Kenneth Hancock of Florida; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. From a previous marriage she is survived by four sons, Randy, Kelly, Willy and Dean Wilcox; and two daughters, Marlene Rowley and Gail Bidwell. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Martin "Marty" Hancock, whom she married on August 15, 1970, and who died July 15, 2006; a sister, Joanne Wiltsie; and a brother, "Chuck" Franklin.

Friends may call at the Peterson-Blick Funeral Home, 1003 Penn. Ave. E., Warren, on Wednesday, January 27, from 5-8 p.m. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to Warren County Hospice, 1 Main Ave, Warren, Pa. 16365.