Gloria Lee
Gloria Lee

Fairlee, Vt. — Gloria Catherine Schelfe Lee passed away on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at the age of 97. Gloria was born Aug. 6, 1921 in Indiana, Pa. Her parents, David and Rose Calza Schelfe, raised her in the mining village of Moss Creek, with her siblings Erma Hancharik (Andy), and Glaudio “Clyde” Schelfe (Betty). Gloria always expressed appreciation for her childhood. In her teens, she worked at the Company Store. After school, she took a chance and moved to Cleveland, Ohio to work for Standard Oil. There, her destiny was fulfilled when she met James Joseph Lee, her husband of 58 years, married Aug. 22, 1947. While living in Riverdale, N.D., Gloria gave birth to three children, including her surviving daughter, Barbara Curran. Her two sons, James and Joseph, passed away shortly after birth.

Gloria, James, and Barbara had the opportunity to live in many places, including Germany for nearly six years. This began Gloria’s passion for travel. Later in life, she visited her parents’ homeland in Northern Italy, reconnecting with distant relatives. Gloria loved to keep in touch with family and friends by phone, handwritten notes, and email. Her other hobbies included cooking, water color painting, drawing, and crafting.

After Germany, Gloria and her family settled in Acton, Mass. A few years after James passed in 2005, she moved to Vermont to be with Barbara and Barbara’s husband, Mike Curran. In addition, Gloria leaves three grandchildren and their spouses, James Curran (Kate), Sarah Curran (Chris Busch), and Frank Curran (Sara Boardman); seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours are Thurs., Oct. 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave (Rte 111) Acton. A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held Fri. Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. in Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 472 Massachusetts Ave (Rte 111), Acton, with Pastor Eric Sahlberg officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton Ctr.

Memorial donations in memory of Gloria can be made to Bayada Hospice at 316 Main St. Norwich, VT 05055. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com.