Gloria S. Edwards

.ORLEANS – Gloria S. Edwards died peacefully at home with family on Wednesday, May 11 at the age of 87. She was born in Worcester, Ma, daughter of the late A. Milo Smith and Ethel (Hastings) Smith. She was a graduate of North High School in Worcester and Vermont College. She was a long time member of the Camp Fire Girls, starting as a Blue Bird and working throughout high school spending entire summers at Marion’s Camp in Sutton, Ma. as a Red Cross Certified Swimming Instructor, Life Guard and Water Front Director.

In 1951 she married Paul B. Edwards and together they built their own house and lived in Sutton, Ma, until moving to East Orleans in 1964. She ran the first Head Start Program in the Orleans area and worked in retail for many years at Backus & Soule Jewelers and Beth Bishop. She was an active member of the Orleans United Methodist Church serving as a co-manager of Cora’s Cupboard, the Orleans food pantry, as well as many other church activities.

Gloria is survived by her husband of 64 years, Paul, her three sons; Steven (Cindy), David (Paul Grace), and William, all of Orleans. She also leaves six grandchildren, Kevin (Desiree), Sarah Kerr (Michael), Ryan (Christy Lin), Scott, Emily, and Mitchel. She also leaves three great grandchildren, Harley, Paxton, and Kira as well as her only niece Deborah (Robert) Bazydlo of Dudley, Ma. She was predeceased by her brother Gordon Smith, and her sisters Gerneth Smith and Gretchen Gonyea.

Gloria loved the outdoors, spending much time camping when the boys were young, every Sunday on Nauset Beach, tending her plants, and traveling the world with Paul. Her greatest passion in life was her family and she loved hosting and attending gatherings large and small.

Interment will be private. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at 11am at the Orleans United Methodist Church, 73 Main St., Orleans, Ma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Orleans United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1565, Orleans, Ma 02653.