Spring, TX - Gloria Strickland O'Connell, 74, died July 25, 2026, in Spring, Texas, after a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

Born February 15, 1952, in Kansas City, Kansas, Gloria pursued her lifelong dream of journalism at the University of Kansas. She began her broadcasting career at WDAF-TV in Kansas City before reporting at KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she became known as a thoughtful consumer advocate and gifted storyteller. She later found another calling in healthcare public relations, working alongside healthcare professionals and Twin Cities disaster response teams while remaining deeply committed to community service.

Gloria married Mark O'Connell on June 14, 1980, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and moved to Burnsville, Minnesota, in 1989, where they raised four children. Following Mark's death in 2007, Gloria remained devoted to her family, career, and many interests. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Mexico, creating mosaic art, and sharing adventures with her partner, Benedictus Bolsman.

Gloria was preceded in death by her son, William O'Connell; her husband, Mark O'Connell; her sister, Carol Strickland; her brother, Thomas Strickland Jr.; and her parents.

She is survived by her partner, Benedictus Bolsman; her brother, Richard Strickland (Pam Strickland); her sister, Sherie Strickland Grafton (Ross Grafton); sister-in-law, Mary Ann Strickland; her children, Christopher O'Connell, Catherine Selinger (David Selinger), and Elizabeth O'Connell (Jason Wilde); her grandchildren, Weston, Brielle, Raegan, and Riley; extended family; and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 29, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Nord Tasting Room at French Meadow, 2610 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to The Rare Cancer Research Foundation https://rarecancer.org/donate in memory of Gloria.