Gloria C. Gavert, 89, of Groton Long Point, died Friday, April 8, 2011, after a lengthy illness.
She was born July 6, 1921, the daughter of Felix Cerrato and Albertine (Hansli) Cerrato. Raised in Greenfield, Mass., she received her B.A. degree from American International College and her M.A. degree from Mt. Holyoke College, both in English Literature and Drama. She married Alfred E. Gavert on September 10, 1949. He died December 22, 1964.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Peter Olson of Flagler Beach, FL; her grandson Colin Olson of Jacksonville, FL; her son Graham Gavert of Groton Long Point; and her beloved Siamese, Casey Blue.
Her teaching career spanned 42 years. After her marriage, Gloria taught for 14 years at Oxford School, West Hartford, directing plays. Family and friends fondly recall her productions of Thornton Wilder’s drama Our Town and the musical Brigadoon.
Following her husband’s death she taught English for 22 years at Miss Porter’s School, Farmington, serving as head of the department for many of those years. After retiring from teaching, she stayed on part-time at MPS as director of the Archives Program, where she recreated period student rooms from the 1900s and 1950s, used by returning alumnae, as well as a Victorian parlor, used for receptions.
In 1997 Gloria fully retired and turned her attention to local organizations, helping to develop both the Mystic Arts Center and the Groton Long Point Archives. She enjoyed the company of her fellow volunteers as they uncovered important data during their research and poured over historical documents and photos, oftentimes mounting displays and exhibits.
For many years, she wrote the “From the Archives” column for the Groton Long Point News, published in July and August, sharing items of historical interest with the summer community.
Gloria’s other interests included needlepoint and reading. She also took pleasure in home decoration and learned how to paint, wallpaper, upholster furniture and sew draperies and spreads. She traveled extensively, sometimes taking students on trips to England and the Continent. Although she visited many countries in mainland Europe, she returned countless times to England, where she visited friends made over the course of a lifetime.
Gloria stipulated that she did not wish any visitation or memorial service. A private burial will be arranged by the family.
In lieu of flowers, Gloria asked that friends consider making a donation to a charity of their choice, or to one of her favorite causes: Mystic Arts Center (www.mysticarts.org), 9 Water St., Mystic CT 06355; Miss Porters School (www.missporters.org), 60 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032; Mt. Holyoke College (www.mtholyoke.edu), 50 College St., South Hadley, MA 01075; American International College (www.aic.edu), 1000 State St., Springfield, MA 01109.
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