Gloria Dee Campione

Gloria Dee Campione, age 94, passed away on January 20, 2025 at Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee, Georgia. Gloria was born to the late Howard and Vesta (Parsons) Vanskike in St. Louis, Missouri on March 17, 1930. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hayesville, North Carolina. Gloria was a professional clarinetist who played a solo with the St. Louis Symphony at thirteen years old and was a member of the orchestra as an adult. She also worked at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and was on the Arthur Godfrey Talent show at just nineteen years old. She taught instrumental music for the Ardsley School District in New York for twenty-five years before retiring and moving to Myrtle Beach. When her husband Eugene passed, she moved to Hiawassee to be closer to her children. For a short time, she played in the Young Harris Community Band in her nineties. 

Gloria is preceded in death by her above mentioned parents, husband, Eugene Campione and brother, Monte Vanskike. She is survived by her children, Ronald M. Campione, Barbara J. (Campione) McGrattan and husband, Ronald Guggisberg, Larry Campione and wife, JoAnne (Shuttleworth)Campione; brother Howard Vanskike; grandchildren, Chris Campione, Kevin McGrattan, Michael McGrattan and Robert McGrattan Jr; great-grandson, Ian McGrattan; nephew Bob DeWitt; niece MaryAnn Flood and their children and grandchildren.

Gloria will be buried next to her late husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St Louis, MO. A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Tanya Nix, Office of Advancement, Band Restricted Fund, Young Harris College, 1 College St, Young Harris GA, 30582, For any questions email tpnix@yhc.edu