Gloria Thomas passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday evening. Gloria was born on November 2, 1925, in Kingston, Jamaica, the only child of Caroline and Frederick Blechington. Gloria lived a most interesting and colorful life in Jamaica where, among her many interests, she enjoyed sneaking out of the house to take the boat over to Havana, Cuba, to go dancing with her friends. She attended East Branch Catholic School, Junior College, and then Nuttall Hospital for nursing training. She completed her nursing training in England in the 1940's.

Gloria returned to Jamaica, married, and had two children. She moved to the United States in 1962, initially living in Brooklyn, NY, where she worked as a nurse in various settings. She started private in-home nursing in NY, and then came to VT in 1970 at a family's request to care for their elderly mother as a live-in nurse. She expected to return to NY after a few months, but then fell in love with Vermont and made her permanent home here. Gloria always said the hills of Vermont and the sense of community so reminded her of her native Jamaica, except, that is, for the climate! She continued to provide in-home long-term care until she retired.

Gloria's faith and prayer have always been a centerpiece of her life. She was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norwich, Vermont, from 1971 to present.

Gloria had a way of drawing people to her. She was known by all as the teller of a seemingly endless supply of stories, a lover of music, dance, and the theater. She bemoaned the demise of fancy dresses and still has a closet full of beautiful clothes, shoes and hats reminiscent of those times.  She loved gardening, sewing and embroidery, and she meticulously and proudly embroidered and cared for the church linens for many, many years.

Gloria is survived and fondly remembered by her daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the Boston area, as well as by her many friends and loved ones in the Upper Valley.

A memorial service will be held at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norwich, Vermont, on Saturday February 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM, followed by a brief reception.