Gloria Corea's Obituary
Born in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to Ruby Doris Corea and Rudolph E. Baynes, Sr., Gloria was forever an island soul at heart. The islands and the ocean shaped her spirit—their rhythms, their colors, their quiet strength—carried with her always. When her mother moved to New York in search of new opportunity, Gloria followed at the age of thirteen, beginning a new chapter in Brooklyn. There she trained in phlebotomy at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital and continued her work in its medical laboratory until she moved to Honolulu, Hawai‘i in 1977.
Upon arriving in Honolulu, Gloria helped to establish and manage a growing plastic surgery practice, which later expanded to Hawai‘i Island before closing in 1987. She went on to work in both retail sales and administrative roles through the remainder of her career. In 1989, she welcomed her daughter, Lindsey Potter.
Gloria was living on Kaua‘i when Hurricane ‘Iniki struck in 1992, forever altering the island and the lives of those who called it home. In the wake of the storm, she returned with Lindsey to her birthplace on St. Vincent, staying until the call of Hawai‘i—the home of her heart—drew her back to Honolulu. Not only a place to live, but a place to belong.
In the Hawai’I era of her life, Gloria’s spiritual journey became her true calling. Her journey blossomed through deep connection and comfort she found at Unity Church of Hawai‘i and Windward Unity. The wisdom text, A Course in Miracles became her teacher, her companion, her mirror. Gloria also passionately embraced the spiritual wisdom and cultural depth of Hawai‘i, seeking to live the profound meaning of the Spirit of Aloha.
Hula became one of the great loves of her life. She began dancing in the early 1980s and continued for decades, even performing with a hula troupe at a resort in Japan during her early practice in the 1980’s. Hula was not simply movement for Gloria—it was prayer, expression, community, and home. Her devotion eventually led her to Halau Hula O Pua ‘A‘ala Hone (meaning “many sweet or fragrant flowers”), where she danced under the guidance of Kumu Hula Flo Fernandez.
During the pandemic, Gloria formed a “quaranteam” with her hula sisters—Leilani Caywood, Nalani Kirkpatrick, and Susan Yanagihara—so they could continue to practice and support one another. Their weekly gatherings not only preserved their dedication to the dance, but also nurtured a deep bond of friendship, laughter, and love.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents and her half-sister, Dr. June Patricia Baynes-Payne. She cherished her close connection to her surviving siblings, Rudolph Baynes, Jr. and wife Marene, as well as Lorna Baynes-Terry (Eugene). Gloria is also survived by her daughter, Lindsey Potter, and her aunt, Margaret Hazell.
Gloria lived with courage, curiosity, tenderness, and unshakable spirit. She danced her life—gracefully, passionately, and always with love.
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