Gloria McCutcheon

Gloria Lucille (Caban) McCutcheon, a pioneering engineer and environmental advocate, passed away on June 11, 2026, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, at age 78.

Born July 18, 1947, in Granite City, Illinois, Gloria was the daughter of Paul Jr., a steelworker, and Lucille (Shable) Caban, a school secretary. She was valedictorian of Granite City High School’s Class of 1965.

Gloria studied civil and environmental engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning B.S. and M.S. degrees when few women entered the engineering profession. There she met graduate student William “Bill” McCutcheon; they married in August 1969.

In 1970, Gloria became the first woman engineer hired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She began as a sanitary treatment plan reviewer in Madison and rose through the agency while pursuing her passion for environmental protection. In 1983, she became Southeast Regional Director in Milwaukee, a position she held for more than 25 years until her retirement.

Gloria received numerous honors, including recognition as a Wisconsin Business Journal Woman of Influence; a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding public service; recognition among “Women Putting Their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee”; and an Izaak Walton League of America Chapter Award for contributions to Wisconsin’s natural resources. The University of Illinois also honored her as an Engineering Trailblazer and one of the college’s first female graduates.

A lifelong learner, Gloria earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute in 2014. Her research focused on infrastructure sustainability and environmental planning.

Gloria and Bill made their home in Brookfield, where they raised their family and remained deeply connected to church, community, and civic life. Gloria served on the boards of Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful and Friends of Lakeshore State Park and volunteered with the We Energies Community Advisory Committee and Menomonee Valley Partners’ Environmental Committee. She was especially proud of her work supporting the development of Lakeshore State Park, including its visitor center and award-winning pedestrian bridge.

A longtime member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Gloria volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program. A gifted clarinetist, she performed with the music ministries at St. John Vianney and Unity Lutheran Church.

Gloria’s warmth and smile made her a wonderful friend. She loved traveling and visiting friends in England, Sweden, and India. She and Bill also explored much of Europe with family and friends.

Gloria is survived by her husband, Bill; daughters Dr. Heather Paradis (Jeffrey) of Elm Grove and Dr. Rachel Sternberg (Adam) of Brookfield; brother Paul Caban III; nephews Michael and Erik Caban; and grandchildren Maddy, Frances, Henry, Hazel, and Theo Paradis, and Eva and Liam Sternberg. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Jeffrey Caban (Donna).

A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield, from noon to 3 p.m., with a service to follow. Interment will take place in August at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful at kgmb.org/donate or Friends of Lakeshore State Park at friendslsp.org/get-involved/donate.