Gloria Hooper lives in the small French town of St. Claude, Manitoba but was born and grew up on the family farm in Shell Valley. Gloria recalls a busy early life, especially as the oldest of four children. After her early years of school in nearby towns such as Inglis and Russell, Gloria went to work as a telephone operator in Dauphin, Manitoba with what was Manitoba Telecom Services at the time. She later took an interest in nursing and got her training Keewatin Community College. After graduating, she worked locally at St. Anthony’s General Hospital. Married to her husband Clinton Hooper they moved to Holland, Manitoba and bought a restaurant and hotel. The place kept them busy, and Gloria took a break from her medical career. They later sold the business, and she went back to nursing. Retiring after a back injury, she later helped in a group home for adults with disabilities and also did some cooking for seniors. In her spare time, she enjoyed crafts. She raised two children, Christopher (Chris) and his younger sister Ashley.

She lost her son Private Chris Holopina on 4 July 1996, while on duty as part of Operation Alliance. He and his comrades were involved in a vehicle accident while on their way to help rescue a group of British soldiers stranded in a mine field. The Canadian armoured vehicle left the road to avoid an accident, but then careened down a ravine and rolled over, killing Chris. He was the first Canadian to give his life in Bosnia as part of that mission.