August 21, 1935 - July 18, 2016 Gloria Teresa (Donato) Balian fell asleep in the hands of the Lord surrounded by her loving family on July 18, 2016. Gloria was born to Alma (Shahwan) and Joseph Donato of Patterson, New Jersey on August 21, 1935. Gloria was predeceased in death by her beloved sisters, Alice (George) Sous and Carol (Michael) Burns. Gloria married the love of her life Frederick I. Balian (Balian Ice Cream Company, Los Angeles) in 1958 in an elegant Pasadena wedding at the Huntington Hotel. The couple resided in Altadena and raised their three children: Karen Kalmoune Baghdassarian and husband Zareh, Habib Frederick and wife Antoinette, Joseph Frederick and wife Rumee. Gloria was treasured by her many grandchildren, Tamara, Mark, Zareh and Gloria Baghdassarian, Frederick and Edward Balian, Zane and Jamil Balian and nephews Steven and George Sous and Michael Burns. With exceptional culinary skills, Gloria, who specialized in the traditional foods of Aleppo, Syria marveled her many friends and family from both coasts with century's old "Halabee" recipes passed from generation to generation from her parents' homeland. A fierce homemaker, wearing that badge proudly, Gloria was meticulous and tireless hostess welcomed waves of guests to her home with traditional "Halabee" hospitality. A talented vocalist, who, in her day, entertained and performed for thousands over the years with an outstanding mezzo-soprano voice. For decades, Gloria sang with the church choir weekly until her death; many admitted they only attended St. Anne Melkite Catholic Church, North Hollywood, to hear "the voice of an angel." Gloria was a church volunteer, who was bestowed the "The Cross of Jerusalem" by the Melkite Eparchy for her fifty years of service and song to her church. Gloria was a wonderful loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and aunt, who during her last breaths expressed her love for her husband, calling him "a gem" and her children, grandchildren, family and many friends "the lights of her life." A Rosary will be held on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 7:00pm (viewing from 5:00 to 7:00pm) at Cabot and Sons in Pasadena. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 10:00am at St. Anne's Melkite Catholic Church in North Hollywood. Cabot & Sons, Pasadena