Shivangi Sinha
Whenever one explores the life of Gloria Gaynor, it becomes evident that her mother, Queenie Mae Proctor, played a pivotal role in shaping her journey. From witnessing her mother’s struggles to raise her children to being deeply influenced by her faith and perspective on their relationship with God, Queenie had a profound impact on Gloria’s life. In both the small and significant moments, she was a figure of strength and admiration for her daughter. Lifetime’s ‘I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story,’ inspired by true events, ensures that Queenie’s character is portrayed with the depth and respect she deserves.
Queenie Mae Proctor Single-Handedly Raised Her Seven Children
Queenie Mae Proctor (also called Queenie May Proctor) built a life for herself in Newark, New Jersey. By 1943, she was already raising four sons when her husband, Daniel Fowles, abandoned the family while she was pregnant with their fifth child. On September 7, 1943, she gave birth to her first daughter, Gloria Fowles, but had to navigate the challenges of single parenthood on her own. Resources were scarce, and Gloria later recalled how her mother would stretch every penny—buying 25 cents worth of bacon skins and beans and using animal crackers to make flatbread because she couldn’t afford baking powder. Despite the hardships, Queenie continued to grow her family and later welcomed another son, Arthur. Her youngest daughter, Irma Proctor, was born in 1950.
Queenie worked tirelessly as a seamstress and a cook to support her family, but with so many children to care for, finances were always tight. However, according to Gloria, their home was never filled with despair or gloom. Music was a constant presence, as many of Queenie’s children were musically gifted, and their talents resonated throughout the household. Beyond fostering a love for music, she also instilled strong religious values in her children and encouraged them to develop a personal relationship with God. When Gloria was 16, Queenie was overjoyed to learn that she wanted to be baptized at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Newark. Reflecting on her mother’s impact, Gloria has described Queenie as both her “compass” and her “rock.”
Gloria Gaynor Continues to Celebrate the Memories of Queenie Mae Proctor Today
Queenie Proctor didn’t live to witness the full extent of Gloria Gaynor’s success as she passed away in 1970. However, Gloria has often spoken about her mother’s profound influence on her life. She described Queenie as her hero and someone she would always look up to. In reflecting on her childhood, she revealed a painful moment from when she was 12 when she allegedly experienced abuse at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend. Despite the trauma, she never confided in Queenie about it and said that her mother would harm the man and that she would be left without both a father and a mother.
Gloria has honored her mother’s memory in various meaningful ways. In 2023, she donated seven Disney-themed paintings by renowned artist Thomas Kinkade to University Hospital in Queenie’s memory. Additionally, she spoke about her mother on Mother’s Day in both 2023 and 2024, calling Queenie the “best mom in the world,” and even wrote a short poem for her. The loss of such an influential figure has impacted Gloria deeply, but she continues to honor her mother’s legacy by living her life according to the principles she was raised with.
Read More: Linwood Simon: What Happened to Gloria Gaynor’s Ex-Husband?
