Gloria Leary Mccarthy

Gloria Miriam Leary McCarthy, 84, peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by her family. Services will be held at the La Grande Seventh-day Adventist Church,Tuesday at 2:00 P.M. Daniels-Knopp Funeral Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in
charge of arrangements.

Gloria was born on February 7, 1927 to Joseph and Anna DeLillo in Portland, Maine. She graduated from Portland High School as the Valedictorian of her class. She graduated from Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts in 1951, with a degree in Elementary Education.

Gloria married James William Leary on August 5, 1951. They settled in Massachusetts,
where she taught 5th grade until their two children were born. They later moved to California.

Gloria married Robert McCarthy on June 27, 1982. She continued working as a Kindergarten and ESL teacher until she retired in 1991. She received awards and
recognition for her service and dedication to children.

Gloria and Robert moved to La Grande, Oregon to enjoy their retirement years close to
her son, Bill, and other family members. However, any one who knew Gloria knows that she included many people in her "family." She loved to cook for her "family," and
was happiest when the chairs at her dining room table were full of people. It also brought her joy to share her Italian heritage by giving Pizelles and New York style cheesecake to those she loved and cared for.

Gloria was a member of the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary. She served as Auxiliary president for three consecutive terms and regularly received the award for volunteering 500 - 1000 hours in a year. Her work for the Auxiliary was extremely important to her,as were the friends she made while volunteering. She was a member of the La Grande
Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she was also well-known for her service to others. Gloria and Bob belonged to the Grande Ronde Wheelers. She enjoyed motorhome camping. She loved going on "dates" to Starbucks with Bill. She always looked forward to visits from her daughter, Heather, and all of her grandchildren.

She is survived by: her two children - Heather Blaire and her husband, Patrick, of Brighton, Colorado and Bill Leary and his wife, Shelly, of Cove, Oregon; her seven grandchildren - Nancy, Matthew, Christine, Amanda, Arla and her husband Ryan, Evan
and Jacob. She was preceded in death by James Leary, Robert McCarthy, two grandchildren - Alicia and Jared Leary, and her siblings - Celeste Borsotti and Louis DeLillo.

Those who wish may make contributions in her memory to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in care of Daniels~Knopp, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.

.