Gloria D. (Bemiss) Lahr

Gloria D. Lahr, 86, longtime resident of Seneca Falls, N.Y. passed at her home on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 21 at 11 a.m. with a memorial service 11:45 a.m., at Doran Funeral Home, 4 East Bayard St., Seneca Falls, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will commence at 1:15 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 97 West Bayard St., Seneca Falls. In keeping with Gloria’s strong belief that our servicemen and woman should be supported regardless of one’s political beliefs, in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be directed to a veteran organization of your choice.

Gloria was born in Long Beach, California, daughter of the late Ralph and Guila (Ballard) Bemiss. She attended local schools, graduated, and started work in retail. It was here she would come to meet Vincent Lahr, the man who would be her husband and soul mate of 68 years. Gloria and Vince started their family in California, and in 1965, embarked on a cross-country trip with the 2 of them and 5 kids in a VW Beetle, moving the family to Geneva, New York. There, they added two more to the family creating the “Wonderful Seven”. Gloria enjoyed raising her family in the Finger Lakes as well as doing in-home daycare and volunteering at the catholic church, before finding employment at McCurdy’s department store. On a whim, she took some ceramic classes, selling her ceramics to co-workers and friends. This led Gloria down a path that would change her life forever. She pursued further education in Syracuse to become a certified ceramic art teacher, and in 1979, she opened a small ceramic shop/classroom in the barn behind the families’ home. Gloria taught classes in the shop 4 days a week until 1985. It was during this time she developed a unique way of making ceramics with clay and crushed glass and blue coloring. Her signature Blue Ice, as it came to be called, was a hit right from the start. From this point forward, Gloria and Vince travelled all over the northeast selling their Blue Ice ceramics from mall to mall. The Blue Ice business thrived over 20 years supporting five families until 2009 when Gloria decided it was time to retire and discontinue Blue Ice.

In addition to her passion for ceramics and family, Gloria loved to spend time outdoors and on the water. She loved to fish and spend time on her pontoon boat, going to the beach was always an adventure she’d never turn down, and she loved bird watching and camping. Around the house, she enjoyed tending to her many flower gardens.

Gloee is survived by her dearest husband and soul mate Vincent; children, Diane (Steve) Kemp, Kathleen (Paul) Donovan, Carolyn (Lenville) Little, Kenneth (Karen) Lahr, Cecilia Lahr, Philip (Mary) Lahr, Daniel (Beth) Lahr; Grandma Gloee is survived by an army of 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren (2 great-granddaughters on the way); sisters, Anne Lorenz, Aleeta Frye, Dora Lynn Rettig; as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family. In addition to her parents, Gloria was predeceased by her brother, Gary (Anita) Bemiss; and 2 special doggies, Mr. Sebastian and Miss Molly.