February, 5 1968 — March 11, 2018
Gloria Ariane Villalobos was born on February 5th, 1968 to loving parents Emetrio “Emmett” Villalobos and Lucille Villarreal in Stockton California. Her father Emmett was in the military so Gloria began to travel the word at just seven weeks old. After high school Gloria went on to attend Washington State University where she attained her B.A. in Science. She then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Astronomy.
Gloria began her planetarium career at the Vanderbilt Planetarium on Long Island. She then worked for the American Museum of Natural History. Gloria finally settled in Lakewood, NJ. Here is where she worked for the Ocean County College at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium. Gloria’s love for all things Astronomy led her to teach the course at Ocean County College as well as she toured local elementary schools with her “Mad Scientist” program to advocate the importance of science to our youth.
Surviving are her parents; Emmett and Lucille, stepfather; Joe Villarreal; brother; Marcus Lowe, step siblings; and her aunts and uncle. A memorial service was held March 18 at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ. Gloria was interred in San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, Stockton California.