Obituary of Gloria G. Cochran

Gloria Lee Grimes Cochran, M.D., M.P.H. Gloria Cochran, 84, passed away on October 7, 2008 at the Gardens at Rivermont in Norman, OK. Gloria was born June 24, 1924 in Washington, D.C., the only child of Paul Dewitt Grimes and Muriel Alice Quackenbush Grimes. Both of Gloria's parents passed away when she was young, and she was raised by her father's extended family, especially her aunt Edith (Edie) Grimes Hutchison of Charlotte, NC. Gloria attended Central High School in Charlotte from which she graduated in 1942. She then went on to Duke University in Durham, NC, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1945, and the MD degree from Duke University College of Medicine in 1949. She served as an intern and assistant resident at Boston Children's Hospital from 1949-1951 and as Chief Resident in Pediatrics at Charlotte Memorial Hospital from 1952-1953. As a pediatrician in the early 1960's, Gloria was a pioneer in the emerging field of Developmental Disabilities in children. As the Associate Director of the Child Development Clinic at the Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston, TX, she worked with other physicians, physical and occupational therapists, social workers and educators to develop treatment plans for multiply-handicapped children, especially those affected by the Rubella epidemic of the 1960's. She wrote, directed and produced the movie "Challenge for Habilitation: The Child with Congenital Rubella Syndrome" and directed the film "Stop Rubella" that urged use of the newly-developed rubella vaccine. Gloria's focus throughout her professional life was on programs for under-served children and on public health. In 1979, she earned a Master's of Public Health from Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. Gloria was active in professional medical societies and served as President of both the Washington, DC, and Houston, TX, branches of the American Medical Women's Association. While interning at Boston Children's Hospital, she met another young intern, Winston E. Cochran, whom she married on June 10, 1950. Gloria and Win were married for over 50 years during which time they lived in Boston, suburban Washington, Philadelphia, Houston, Columbus GA, and Norman OK. Wherever they went, they made wonderful friends and were active in the Methodist Church. They had five children, and six grandchildren, and three dogs named Ginger. Gloria was truly a remarkable woman, physician, wife, mother, and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, Aunt Edie, infant son Paul, and husband Win. She is survived by daughter Edie Marsh-Matthews and husband Bill Matthews of Norman, OK, son Winston Cochran, Jr. and wife Sharon of Houston, TX, son Donald Cochran and wife Joan of Chesapeake, VA, son Robert Cochran of Hagerstown, MD, grandchildren Andrew Marsh, Rebecca Marsh, Paul Cochran, Jennifer Cochran, Elizabeth Cochran and Daniel Cochran. The family would like to thank the wonderful, kind staff of the Rose Garden at Rivermont and Loving Care Hospice for their care of Gloria at the end of her life. Services for Gloria will be in Herndon, VA, on Saturday, October 11, 2008. The family will receive visitors from 11 AM- 1 PM at the Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, VA, with a chapel service at 1 PM. Internment at the Chestnut Grove Cemetery will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to the Graduating Women of the Medical Class of 1949 Endowment, Alumni and Development Records, Duke University, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708. Contact James O'Brien (919-667-2527) with any questions about a gift in Gloria's memory.