Gloria Concha, a longtime staff member dedicated to students and service at Cal Poly Pomona, died April 26. She was 68.

Concha (’85, liberal studies), a financial aid counselor, began working at the university in 1985. The La Puente resident cared deeply about students and they loved her in return, often bringing Concha gift cards or candy, says Diana Minor, director of the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Minor describes Concha as spunky, vibrant and always smiling.

“Gloria had a beautiful personality,” Minor says. “She was always upbeat. She always knew how to give you a ‘pick me up’ when you’re down.”

Concha also was active in Staff Council for more than 20 years, donating whatever time she had outside of her job duties to the group.

“She was the face of Staff Council,” says Rachel Dominguez, an administrative assistant for the Reading, Advising & Mentoring Program and the Staff Council’s immediate past president. “All of the past presidents knew she was our greeter. I would ask her if she would be one of our greeters at events because everyone knew her on campus.”

Her husband, Gilbert, died in March 2016. Concha also battled health issues, but she didn’t let anything stop her, Dominguez adds.

“I wish I had a tenth of the strength and loyalty she had,” Dominguez says. “She never let her illnesses get her down. She was never negative.”

Concha served as the liaison in financial aid for the Veterans Resource Center, and in 2015 student veterans nominated her for an outstanding staff member award.

“She was always very supportive and empathetic with our veterans,” says Elke Azpeitia, veteran services coordinator. “They loved her very much.”

A public viewing will be held Thursday, May 4 at 6 p.m. in the Hillside Chapel, Gate 17, Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier. Services will be held Friday, May 5 at 3 p.m. in the same location.