Gloria Hasbrouck
Gloria Hasbrouck, a longtime member of the dining services staff at Skidmore, died Nov. 18, 2011, at her home. She was 74.
Born Aug. 21, 1937, in Plattekill, N.Y., she was the daughter of Otto and Dagmar Rasmussen. She joined the Skidmore staff in 1966, working as a household and food supervisor on the downtown Scribner Campus. In 1974 she was named the food supervisor in the Spa snack shop, and in 1980 she was promoted to assistant director of Food Services. She continued in that position until she retired in 1999.
Gloria was known for being a hard worker and for expecting the best from those she supervised. Many staff members began their Skidmore careers in Food Services, having been hired by “Miss Hasbrouck.” One is Tom Bayer, now at the Skidmore post office. He started work at Skidmore as a high school trainee and asked to be considered for full-time employment. He recalled, “Miss Hasbrouck told me, ‘Get your high school diploma and then come back to see me.’” He did, and she hired him in the Spa. “We became friends and I learned a lot from her,” he added. Their friendship continued after Gloria retired.
Debra Youngblood in the Skidmore Shop was once part of a crew preparing for a special event. “Miss Hasbrouck told us what to do and left. Thinking we knew what she wanted, we went ahead and set things up. When she returned a short while later she looked at our set-ups and said, ‘No, you need to do it again’ and gave us more detailed instructions.” Debra continued, “I learned a lot from her. How to set up large parties, recipes, entertaining. She was a great lady and I loved her.”
Debra’s mother, Erline, had also worked for Gloria. Erline’s memories extend back to Father’s Hall on the old campus, where she and Gloria worked in the dining room. “She was a beautiful person” but could be a demanding boss, said Erline. “We did work hard, to present good food, well prepared.” The payoff? “After parties President Palamountain would always come back to the kitchen to compliment the staff,” Erline said.
Gloria loved to travel and was a talented artist. Her favorite activity was yard work, and she was always praised for her beautiful lawns. She enjoyed talking to friends and playing games on Facebook. Gloria adored dogs, especially her last dog, Abby. She was an avid fan of the New England Patriots.
Survivors include nephews Joseph Michael Daignault and Ryan Lee Daignault of Corinth and Donald James Clute of Saratoga Springs, and great-nephew Joseph Anthony Daignault of Corinth.
Memorial donations may be made to Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 39, Ithaca, N.Y., 14852-6401.