Obituary for Gloria Marie Smith (Steeves)
Gloria Marie Steeves Smith, wife of the late John Timothy “Tim” Smith had a gentle, peaceful passing on September 28, 2022. She was cared for by her loving family at their home on Buff Cap Road until she felt the love of her life of 69 years Tim calling her to join him. We were so honored to be able to be with her every day and to tell her how much she meant to us, especially the last several months. She was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who made caring for her family the main purpose of her life.
Gloria was born on September 3, 1935 in Bangor, Maine. Shortly after getting married, Tim was deployed to the naval base in Newport. They moved to Connecticut beforehand to be closer to family. Mom lived on her own, working at Aetna and welcoming dad on weekends when he could get away. After the Navy they moved to Stafford Springs for a short time before moving to Tolland in 1958 to spend the rest of their time there on Buff Cap Road. Each of the seven of us who were raised there have many memories of school projects and bake sales, homemade Halloween costumes, pool parties, birthday parties, holidays, special events and so much more. Everyone was always welcome.
After overcoming a serious medical issue at 39, Mom’s incredible spirit and determination beat the odds and she remained very active and involved until her later years. Shortly after her recovery, with her children all in school, mom pursued her dream of attending college and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. (She likely could have taught the classes!). Working as a Special Education professional brought her joy and a deep sense of achievement. She had a few other positions and retired her professional career working in the office of Banner Water for daughter Beth and son-in-law Sean. While working, mom continued to run the household, raise the family and helped immensely with the grandchildren. She was the strongest woman.
Throughout the years there were cabins in Maine, time with the Maine cousins, Jordan Pond House, snowmobiling trips, collecting teacups, trips to St. Maarten, Caribbean cruise, Alaska, Costa Rica, Arizona, Mexico, San Francisco and more. When asked where she would go if she could go anyplace in the world she didn't hesitate with her reply of, "Bar Harbor".
Gloria was fun-loving and enjoyed most being a mom and wife. The most important thing to her was taking care of family. Her hobbies included gardening, baking and decorating. She was always encouraging each one of us to experience things and “go for it”. Mom was a gentle soul who accepted all. She was a good friend to many and desired to always have her family around.
In addition to her parents and husband John “Tim”, Gloria was welcomed into heaven by her brother Charles Steeves, her sister Constance Hallet Hobart and an infant son Michael Joseph. She leaves 7 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. A daughter Pamela Hilborn and husband Charles of West Hartford and Clinton; a son Mark Smith of West Hartford; a daughter Karen Smith of Mechanic Falls, ME; a daughter Laurie Matthews and husband David of New Milford; a daughter Catherine Hernberg and husband Richard of Willington; a daughter Jackie Smith-Lowe and husband Herbert of Newtown; a daughter Beth Banning and husband Sean of Tolland. A granddaughter Alyssa Cochran and her husband Andrew and their children Abigail and Claire, a grandson Kevin Matthews and wife Kiely, a granddaughter Emelia Goldman and husband Jon and their children Liam and Naomi, a granddaughter Nicole Arnold and husband Matthew and their children Harrison and Sophia, a grandson Eric Lowe, a granddaughter Ashley Rose Smith, a granddaughter Kelsey Boschetto and husband Alan and their children Stella and Shea, a granddaughter Keri Duhamel and her children Novalynn and Coral, a grandson Reilly Smith and his fiancé Katie, a grandson Gregory Hernberg, a grandson Evan Banning and a grandson Cole Banning.
They all shared a special bond with their grandma/mema/gigi and will hold her memory close in their hearts. Gloria also had a special fondness for her sons-in- law. They loved her dearly and she always told them that she "especially" loved each of them.
The world around us changes from year to year, our lives will go on from day to day, but the love and memory of you, (mom, sister, grandma, mema, gigi) shall never pass away. No matter what age we all are, we will always need you. We miss you and you will be forever in our hearts.
The Smith Family would be honored to welcome you to calling hours for their dear mother on Friday, October 7 from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road, (Rt. 195), Tolland, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 12:00pm at St. Matthew Church, 111 Tolland Green, Tolland. Interment will follow at South Cemetery, Tolland.
Donations in Gloria’s name may be made to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Ashford, CT http://www.holeinthewallgang.org
Gloria was born on September 3, 1935 in Bangor, Maine. Shortly after getting married, Tim was deployed to the naval base in Newport. They moved to Connecticut beforehand to be closer to family. Mom lived on her own, working at Aetna and welcoming dad on weekends when he could get away. After the Navy they moved to Stafford Springs for a short time before moving to Tolland in 1958 to spend the rest of their time there on Buff Cap Road. Each of the seven of us who were raised there have many memories of school projects and bake sales, homemade Halloween costumes, pool parties, birthday parties, holidays, special events and so much more. Everyone was always welcome.
After overcoming a serious medical issue at 39, Mom’s incredible spirit and determination beat the odds and she remained very active and involved until her later years. Shortly after her recovery, with her children all in school, mom pursued her dream of attending college and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. (She likely could have taught the classes!). Working as a Special Education professional brought her joy and a deep sense of achievement. She had a few other positions and retired her professional career working in the office of Banner Water for daughter Beth and son-in-law Sean. While working, mom continued to run the household, raise the family and helped immensely with the grandchildren. She was the strongest woman.
Throughout the years there were cabins in Maine, time with the Maine cousins, Jordan Pond House, snowmobiling trips, collecting teacups, trips to St. Maarten, Caribbean cruise, Alaska, Costa Rica, Arizona, Mexico, San Francisco and more. When asked where she would go if she could go anyplace in the world she didn't hesitate with her reply of, "Bar Harbor".
Gloria was fun-loving and enjoyed most being a mom and wife. The most important thing to her was taking care of family. Her hobbies included gardening, baking and decorating. She was always encouraging each one of us to experience things and “go for it”. Mom was a gentle soul who accepted all. She was a good friend to many and desired to always have her family around.
In addition to her parents and husband John “Tim”, Gloria was welcomed into heaven by her brother Charles Steeves, her sister Constance Hallet Hobart and an infant son Michael Joseph. She leaves 7 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. A daughter Pamela Hilborn and husband Charles of West Hartford and Clinton; a son Mark Smith of West Hartford; a daughter Karen Smith of Mechanic Falls, ME; a daughter Laurie Matthews and husband David of New Milford; a daughter Catherine Hernberg and husband Richard of Willington; a daughter Jackie Smith-Lowe and husband Herbert of Newtown; a daughter Beth Banning and husband Sean of Tolland. A granddaughter Alyssa Cochran and her husband Andrew and their children Abigail and Claire, a grandson Kevin Matthews and wife Kiely, a granddaughter Emelia Goldman and husband Jon and their children Liam and Naomi, a granddaughter Nicole Arnold and husband Matthew and their children Harrison and Sophia, a grandson Eric Lowe, a granddaughter Ashley Rose Smith, a granddaughter Kelsey Boschetto and husband Alan and their children Stella and Shea, a granddaughter Keri Duhamel and her children Novalynn and Coral, a grandson Reilly Smith and his fiancé Katie, a grandson Gregory Hernberg, a grandson Evan Banning and a grandson Cole Banning.
They all shared a special bond with their grandma/mema/gigi and will hold her memory close in their hearts. Gloria also had a special fondness for her sons-in- law. They loved her dearly and she always told them that she "especially" loved each of them.
The world around us changes from year to year, our lives will go on from day to day, but the love and memory of you, (mom, sister, grandma, mema, gigi) shall never pass away. No matter what age we all are, we will always need you. We miss you and you will be forever in our hearts.
The Smith Family would be honored to welcome you to calling hours for their dear mother on Friday, October 7 from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road, (Rt. 195), Tolland, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 12:00pm at St. Matthew Church, 111 Tolland Green, Tolland. Interment will follow at South Cemetery, Tolland.
Donations in Gloria’s name may be made to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Ashford, CT http://www.holeinthewallgang.org