Please consider a donation to the charity Afghans4Tomorrow, Inc. (A4T) by check or online at: https://Afghans4Tomorrow.org/… Gloriann shared many of her captivating photographs with A4T volunteers to promote charitable programs on their website and social media. A gift can be specified to the “Gloriann Liu Humanitarian Project” by clicking on the “Donate” button to the right of the web page linked above and choosing that selection from the drop-down menu.

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Gloriann Liu was born in April of 1943 in St. Louis, MO to Louise and Ralph Cross. Throughout her life she was known as a teacher, photographer and fierce defender of the less fortunate among us. She was quick to smile, had a ready wit, and a generous soul. A deeply spiritual person, she was a follower of Ram Dass.

Much of her early childhood was spent in Emporia, KS, then Hyattsville, MD and later Carlsbad, NM. She attended Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia, Wichita State University and received a Masters of Art from the Kansas City Art Institute.

She spent the majority of her teaching career in the Kansas City, MO School District, where she taught photography at the high school level. Many of her students attained national recognition for their work. She met her husband, Norman, in Kansas City in 1981. After retiring from teaching, she and Norman moved to San Luis Obispo, CA in 1988.

It was in this chapter of her life that her photography talents fully blossomed. After honing her skills on California’s natural beauty, she took a trip with a friend to Israel and Palestine which transformed her life. After several trips to the Middle East and East Asia, Afghanistan and its beautiful people became the prime focus of her interest. It was her documentation of Afghanistan and its people that became her raison d’etre. Her work as well as some of her national and international awards can be viewed at her website: GloriannLiu.com

Gloriann is survived by her husband, Norman Liu; her son, James Lytton; her daughter, Leandra Lytton; her granddaughter, Georgia Swortwood; and her granddaughter, Lilly Lytton. She also is survived by her brothers Stephen Hawkins and David Hawkins.

Now follow heartfelt comments from James and Leandra.

James:

First, I must express my preference for using the word "celebration” instead of “obituary.” As all words have been spoken before, this is a matter of personal preference.

In your life, you will encounter three distinct types of people. Those who resemble the leaves on a tree are acquaintances who come and go with the seasons.

Then, you have friends you meet who are represented by the branches of a tree. These are friendships that endure throughout your life and are the essence of your being.

Lastly, there are those on whom your existence and beliefs are based. These are your teachers, who instill values and traits, and teach you to respect and cherish all life. These people are represented by the roots of a tree.

I have defined these people whose lives have influenced yours to help you understand the significance of individuals like my mother.

She was a teacher and educator, and her impact on many people’s lives is immeasurable. Her influence on her friends and family will always be remembered. People who dedicate their lives to educating and helping others are rare.

My mother dedicated her entire life to teaching and helping those who were less fortunate, fighting for human rights; in particular the rights of women in Afghanistan. Through her photography, she has helped to educate many on the struggle for equal rights for women.

She would not have wanted us to be saddened by her passing. Instead, she would want us to continue her fight to make our world a better place.

To her, I dedicate this as a beautiful tribute.

Leandra:

We celebrate the life of a truly extraordinary woman. A woman whose heart overflowed with kindness and whose spirit radiated warmth and compassion. She dedicated herself to lifting up others, especially those in war-torn Afghanistan, ensuring wherever she could that the hungry were fed and that the unheard were given a voice. Her generosity knew no boundaries.

At the center of her life she met a man that changed that life. From the moment they met, Norman became her greatest supporter in all her endeavors. Norman was always by her side; their love was a true testament to their union. Norman was with her and holding her hand when she departed this physical world.

Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit shines on in every act of kindness, in every shared meal and in every meaningful story told. Her life was a gift to all who knew her and her memory will forever be a source of love and inspiration. HER SHINING LIGHT WILL NEVER DIM!

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