Obituary for Gloria Jean Bagley
Cherryfield
Gloria Jean (Mathews) Morse Bagley passed away peacefully on January 8th, 2024, surrounded by her family and friends after a courageous and hard-fought battle through the ravages of dementia. She was born March 15th, 1940, the daughter of James and Bernice (Harrington) Mathews of Cherryfield.
She spent each day living her motto to never give up and never give in. The disease, known as a master of theft, that slowly takes everything that ever mattered away, never was able to take her recognition of those she loved, and it was their voices in the end that allowed her to be set free to rejoin those who went before her. Gloria had a remarkable resilience and personal strength that enabled her to face life head on.
There were many things Gloria loved in life including her family, friends, flower gardening, dancing, country music, travel, and touring the back country on an ATV with Julian. She loved Washington County and more specifically Cherryfield and Centerville, two places that would always feel like home. Both held special memories and gave her a sense of belonging that could never be found anywhere else.
While many people look forward to the day they can retire, Gloria absolutely loved to work and often said she regretted retiring at age 70. She spent several years as a secretary for Handy Pinkham in Steuben, several more at a dispatch/accounting job with Wyman’s, worked in an accounting position with Maine Wild Blueberry, and in the final 18+ years of employment, she was in accounts receivable at Bluebird Ranch. The Prout's became like a second family to her, and she often spoke of them in endearing terms.
Within months of getting done work, Gloria became a great grandmother to Lanie Morse, and her worries about what to do with all her free time were answered. For the next four years she and Julian found great joy in babysitting Lanie. She was their bright spot as they continued to age.
After Julian passed away, Gloria moved to be close to her daughter Kelley and partner Ruth. During the years that followed she reconnected with her friend Carolyn Wright, visiting each other, and going out to have breakfast and lunch. Soon Mary Smith joined them, and they became known as the Giddy Up Go Girls, as they traveled about with Mary on many an excursion. She also formed a special friendship with Alyssa Dugal, who started out as her hairdresser, but ended up being a cherished friend. Alyssa became one of the bright spots in her life and was by her side as she made her way back home, as was Carrie Tracey who for the last two months not only provided healthcare, but also laughter and love.
Gloria will always be remembered for her fierce determination and perseverance, her strong work ethic which she instilled in her children, Rodney and Kelley, her unfaltering devotion to her three siblings, her deep love for her grandchildren Laura, Nic and her great grandchild, Lanie, her beautiful smile and always for her impeccable appearance that her brother Foster lovingly referred to as "Glamorous Glo".
Gloria is survived by her daughter, Kelley Wescott and partner Ruth Crowley; her grandson, Nicholas Morse; her granddaughter, Laura Morse and partner, Sarah Bagley; her great granddaughter, Lanie Morse and Lanie's mother, Crystal Coulter; her brother, Dickie Mathews; her daughter-in-law, Susie Morse; her sister-in-law, Leta Mathews; her brother-in-law, Gary Bagley and partner Danny Samaroo; her niece, Amy Mathews; her niece, Katie Parker, husband Donny and daughter, Emma and her grandniece, Karlee Frisby of Arkansas; special cousins, Margie Gerrish and husband Paul, Gordon Harrington and wife Diana and dear friends Bill and Deb Sehl, Carolyn Wright, Mary Smith, Alyssa Dugal and Kathy Look.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, James and Bernice Mathews; her first husband, Roland Morse; her son, Rodney J. Morse; her sister, Lucille MacQuarrie; her brother, Foster Mathews; her second husband, Julian Bagley; her brother-in-law, Carroll MacQuarrie; her brother-in-law Beverly Morse, her sister-in-law, Audrey Mathews; her special aunt, Grace Gerrish; her niece, Karen (Mathews) Henry and four cherished friends: Merla Shook, Nedra Colbeth ,Peggy Fernald and Lena Grover.
A celebration of her life will be held at the First Congregational Church, 12 River Road, in Cherryfield on January 27th at 1PM. Gloria's tribute will immediately be followed by refreshments and reminiscing at the Cherryfield Elementary School, 85 School Street, Cherryfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Maine Seacoast Mission Food Pantry, 7 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Gloria Jean (Mathews) Morse Bagley passed away peacefully on January 8th, 2024, surrounded by her family and friends after a courageous and hard-fought battle through the ravages of dementia. She was born March 15th, 1940, the daughter of James and Bernice (Harrington) Mathews of Cherryfield.
She spent each day living her motto to never give up and never give in. The disease, known as a master of theft, that slowly takes everything that ever mattered away, never was able to take her recognition of those she loved, and it was their voices in the end that allowed her to be set free to rejoin those who went before her. Gloria had a remarkable resilience and personal strength that enabled her to face life head on.
There were many things Gloria loved in life including her family, friends, flower gardening, dancing, country music, travel, and touring the back country on an ATV with Julian. She loved Washington County and more specifically Cherryfield and Centerville, two places that would always feel like home. Both held special memories and gave her a sense of belonging that could never be found anywhere else.
While many people look forward to the day they can retire, Gloria absolutely loved to work and often said she regretted retiring at age 70. She spent several years as a secretary for Handy Pinkham in Steuben, several more at a dispatch/accounting job with Wyman’s, worked in an accounting position with Maine Wild Blueberry, and in the final 18+ years of employment, she was in accounts receivable at Bluebird Ranch. The Prout's became like a second family to her, and she often spoke of them in endearing terms.
Within months of getting done work, Gloria became a great grandmother to Lanie Morse, and her worries about what to do with all her free time were answered. For the next four years she and Julian found great joy in babysitting Lanie. She was their bright spot as they continued to age.
After Julian passed away, Gloria moved to be close to her daughter Kelley and partner Ruth. During the years that followed she reconnected with her friend Carolyn Wright, visiting each other, and going out to have breakfast and lunch. Soon Mary Smith joined them, and they became known as the Giddy Up Go Girls, as they traveled about with Mary on many an excursion. She also formed a special friendship with Alyssa Dugal, who started out as her hairdresser, but ended up being a cherished friend. Alyssa became one of the bright spots in her life and was by her side as she made her way back home, as was Carrie Tracey who for the last two months not only provided healthcare, but also laughter and love.
Gloria will always be remembered for her fierce determination and perseverance, her strong work ethic which she instilled in her children, Rodney and Kelley, her unfaltering devotion to her three siblings, her deep love for her grandchildren Laura, Nic and her great grandchild, Lanie, her beautiful smile and always for her impeccable appearance that her brother Foster lovingly referred to as "Glamorous Glo".
Gloria is survived by her daughter, Kelley Wescott and partner Ruth Crowley; her grandson, Nicholas Morse; her granddaughter, Laura Morse and partner, Sarah Bagley; her great granddaughter, Lanie Morse and Lanie's mother, Crystal Coulter; her brother, Dickie Mathews; her daughter-in-law, Susie Morse; her sister-in-law, Leta Mathews; her brother-in-law, Gary Bagley and partner Danny Samaroo; her niece, Amy Mathews; her niece, Katie Parker, husband Donny and daughter, Emma and her grandniece, Karlee Frisby of Arkansas; special cousins, Margie Gerrish and husband Paul, Gordon Harrington and wife Diana and dear friends Bill and Deb Sehl, Carolyn Wright, Mary Smith, Alyssa Dugal and Kathy Look.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, James and Bernice Mathews; her first husband, Roland Morse; her son, Rodney J. Morse; her sister, Lucille MacQuarrie; her brother, Foster Mathews; her second husband, Julian Bagley; her brother-in-law, Carroll MacQuarrie; her brother-in-law Beverly Morse, her sister-in-law, Audrey Mathews; her special aunt, Grace Gerrish; her niece, Karen (Mathews) Henry and four cherished friends: Merla Shook, Nedra Colbeth ,Peggy Fernald and Lena Grover.
A celebration of her life will be held at the First Congregational Church, 12 River Road, in Cherryfield on January 27th at 1PM. Gloria's tribute will immediately be followed by refreshments and reminiscing at the Cherryfield Elementary School, 85 School Street, Cherryfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Maine Seacoast Mission Food Pantry, 7 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com