Gloria Mary McNellis

Gloria Mary Prachar McNellis passed peacefully on May 11, 2018. She was born in St. Paul, MN, on January 20, 1935, to Carl & Emily Prachar. Gloria was constantly attended by her husband, daughters, sons in law, & close friends during her last illness.

Gloria was a full partner to her husband, adored mother & companion of her children & grandchildren. She exemplified grace & gratitude, kindness & devotion all her life. Gloria was extremely active, serving as a yoga instructor at Craven Community College in New Bern & the Town of River Bend. She also enjoyed playing tennis, kayaking, sculling, walking daily & riding her bike. She loved bird watching, book club, bridge, mahjong & reading. Gloria enjoyed traveling & was always interested & willing to go anywhere, including abroad to France, Saudi Arabia, Italy & Switzerland. Gloria learned to sew, crochet, knit & work with stained glass, making items that will forever be treasured by family & friends.

Gloria had an unwavering faith in God & was a devout Catholic. After moving to NC to retire, she attended St. Paul Catholic Church in New Bern then St. Michael in Cary.

Gloria is survived by her husband of 61 years, James G. “Jim,” & daughters Ann (Carl) Elmore of Cary, Barbara (Peter) Sinopoli of Cary & Linda McNellis of Savannah, GA. Also surviving her are her brother Don (Sue) Prachar of White Bear Lake, MN, three grandchildren, Jasen McNellis, Christine (David) Allison & Jack Sinopoli, as well as two great grandchildren, Madisen & Winnie. Gloria was predeceased by two of her children, Matthew & Susan, as well as her sister, Judy Bertuleit.

Gloria resided at SearStone’s Brittany Place Skilled Nursing Center in Cary for the last two years of her illness. She & her family extend extraordinary thanks for the compassionate & personal care, as well as efforts of staff to ensure that she had ample opportunity to continue enjoying life.

Gloria’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 15th, 2018, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC. A funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, May 16th, 2018 at 1:00 PM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Rd Cary, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made for research to end Alzheimer’s at ALZ.org or the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls at fslf.org.