BEVERLY: Gloria Rose (Mitchell) Small, 78, beloved mother and wife, died Friday, June 13, 2014 with her family by her side after battling pancreatic cancer for the past year. She was the wife of Clayton G. Small, Jr.
Born in Salem on February 6, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Harold P. Mitchell and Rose Ann Roy. She was educated in Salem and Lynn schools and graduated Lynn English High School Class of 1954.
She went home to be with the Lord and all her family and friends that have passed before her, including her son Matthew, sister Joyce and brother Harold.
Gloria was treasured for her dedication, love, sacrifices and care of her family, friends, various organizations/charity, and recently Missie her cat, a taken in stray that became a “best friend” to her. She was cherished and loved being with her seven grandchildren. She was most recognized for being a dedicated mother for many years while her children were growing and attending Lynn and Beverly schools being completely dedicated to their school, sports, music and numerous activities.
Gloria was known for her generosity and graciousness in the community. She taught Sunday and Vacation Bible school and was a member of Immanuel Congregational Church in Beverly, where she lead the Senior Fellowship, President and Treasurer of Couples Club and volunteered at numerous luncheons and programs to support the church body. She assisted her husband Clayton who was President of the Beverly Hockey Boosters Club when her sons were active in youth and high school hockey. Gloria also volunteered for several years at Lynn District Court, substitute kindergarten teacher and nurse’s aide.
She was an avid learner, playing piano, sewing, cooking, secretarial courses at NS Community College, writing at Beverly Senior Center where she created her “memoirs” years prior. Her passion was her perennial gardens and was an expert in arrangement and plantings of them and encouraged educating others of the beauty of flowers by inviting people to visit her gardens. She worked as an accountant in local banks and retired as receptionist at New England Biolabs, after 18 years of employment where she was fondly known as the “voice of Biolabs”.
She will be passionately missed by her friends and family: husband Clayton G Small, Jr. whom she shared 60 years of marriage, son Clayton Small, III and his wife, Kathleen, daughter Pamela Jackson and her husband, Daniel, son Bradley Small and his wife, Claudia and seven grandchildren: Elizabeth and Christopher Jackson, Geoffrey and Olivia Small, Anastasia, Bradley II and Connor Small.
Her funeral service will be held on Monday, June 23rd in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held on Monday prior to the service from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to Beverly Bootstraps, 371 Cabot Street, Beverly MA 01915; 978-927-1561; www.beverlybootstraps.org or the Salvation Army North Shore, 93 North Street, Salem MA 01970; 978-744-5181; www.salvationarmyMA.org/northshore. For more information and to send online condolences, please visit www.grondinfuneralservices.com.