Gloria Jane Boatright

Gloria Jane Boatright, 80, died on March 15, 2016, in Williamsburg VA. After struggling for many years with a progressive and debilitating disease, she went peacefully with her adoring husband, Jim, by her side. Gloria and Jim were together for over 59 years, their marriage based on true love and respect for each other. While her family and friends will miss her dearly we know she is in a better place.

Gloria is survived by her husband, James Francis Boatright of Williamsburg; her, sons, James Jeffrey (Linda) Boatright of Herndon VA and William Sellar (Sherry) Boatright of Virginia Beach VA; her, granddaughters, Katherine C. (Jeff) Dawley of Ashburn VA and Angelina Palihan Boatright of Virginia Beach; her grandson Michael J. (Lesley) Boatright of Round Rock TX; her great granddaughter, Evelyn C. Dawley; her sister, Dorothy Sheerin of Clinton MA. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jennifer J. Boatright of Williamsburg; her parents, William C. and Elizabeth G. Sellar of Manchester ME.

Gloria was born on December 7, 1935, in Augusta, Maine. She graduated from Cony High school and attended Westbrook College in Portland, Maine. After graduation in 1955, she became a flight attendant for Capital Airlines. In early 1956, living in Alexandria VA she met Jim, a lieutenant in the U. S. Army. They fell in love and were married in Augusta, Maine on September 29, 1956. They spent their honeymoon on the coast of Maine and, over the years, they would return frequently as it was her favorite place to vacation. Their first year together was spent in England where Jim was stationed. They then moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where Jim finished his military obligation. Jim’s work took them to Colorado and then to Kansas and, in 1961, to Northern Virginia where they would spend the next 34 years raising their family. Gloria treasured her parental responsibilities and participated fully in supporting the children’s activities. She was always available to help with their church and school programs. Gloria was an avid reader and encouraged her children to learn and love to read as she did. In 1995, Gloria and Jim moved to Williamsburg to begin their retirement. In Gloria’s early retirement years, her greatest joy was being with her grandchildren and was always called “Nana”.

Gloria was a devout Christian and was always a very active participant in every church she belonged to. Her volunteer activities usually involved outreach or congregational care ministries. Her real passion was singing, and was a member of the choir in each church she belonged to. She did a lot of solo work during her younger years as she was gifted with a beautiful soprano voice.

Gloria had a very outgoing and engaging personality, a loving heart and endless energy. After the two oldest children were off to college, Gloria went back to work. First, she worked as a substitute teacher and then took a full time job with the Department of Defense in the pentagon in public affairs and later in foreign military sales. After a number of years, she decided to return to volunteer work. She volunteered in the White House for two presidents, in the headquarters of a presidential reelection committee, for charitable organizations and community associations and for Colonial Williamsburg doing research work for many years. She loved to spend time with family, travel with her husband, socialize with neighbors and friends, participate in community activities, attend Christopher Wren classes, do research on the civil war, grow exotic plants and, of course, read a good book.

Friends may visit with the family March 28 between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on March 29 at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA and will be followed by a reception at the church. Interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 809 S. Henry St., Williamsburg, VA, will be at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Williamsburg United Methodist Church or to FISH.

Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.