WILMINGTON — Gloria Wright Werner, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully during the wee hours of October 7th, having graced this world for 94 years.
Gloria was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, W.R. “Wally” Werner.
She is survived by her five children, Jane (Jeff) O’Neill of Silverthorne, CO, and Leawood, KS, Meg (K.C.) Haile of Warrenton, VA, Doug (Jean) Werner of Southbury, CT, Carolyn Werner (Rob Wilkens) of Fairfield CT, Anne (Craig) Grant of West Hartford, CT, and twelve grandchildren: Sarah, Christian, Megan and Jack O’Neill; Connor and Crosby Haile; Amanda, Tim and Matt Werner; and Caroline, Maggie and Isabel Grant. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in Englewood, NJ on April 28,1930, the daughter of the late Edward and Caroline Wright, Gloria grew up in Tenafly, NJ, along with her brother the late Edward “Bud” Wright. She graduated from Brown University (Pembroke), with a degree in German and French. During her time at Brown, she met Wally; they were married on October 17, 1953.
Gloria enjoyed many things, including music, art, gardening, chocolate, dogs, travel and her family. She had a passion for reading, which she successfully passed on to her children; admittedly, she had less success in igniting their musical talents. With five very active children, who were frequently told to “go outside and find something to do,” Gloria also became quite skilled at managing their various injuries that, with rare exceptions, occurred when Wally was traveling. She had an impeccable sense of humor and loved jokes.
Wally’s career saw the couple and their growing family move many times. They lived in upstate New York, Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina.
In 1992, Gloria and Wally moved to Wilmington, NC, and greatly enjoyed many years living in Landfall. She was involved in the garden club, an art docent, and a member of the St. James Church and choir. Summers were spent in Chatham, MA at the family home known as “Camp Wally”; they enjoyed the company of their children and grandchildren, often all at once!
The family expresses sincere gratitude to Gloria’s care givers over the last 6 years.
A celebration of life at St Christopher’s church Chatham Massachusetts will be planned at a later date. Please send donations to parkinson.org; michaeljfox.org or support.smiletrain.org.
