Gloria Mae Hamblen Kenney Sylvester Obituary (1928 - 2017)

Manchester-Gloria Mae Hamblen Kenney Sylvester, 89, passed away peacefully at the Augusta Center for Health & Rehabilitation on August 11, 2017. Gloria was born May 19, 1928 in Winthrop, Maine to George N. Hamblen and Myrtle M. Hamblen. She graduated from Winthrop High School in 1946. For many years Gloria was responsible for organizing her Winthrop High School reunions with help from her special classmates, Callie Fournier and Maggie Yeaton. Gloria graduated from Nasson College in 1948. There she met Edna Fadden who became her best friend for life. Gloria married Paul Kenney on November 9, 1949 in Winthrop. They divorced on November 8, 1967. She married Ralph Sylvester on March 8, 1982 and lived in Manchester. They were married for 28 years when Ralph passed away on July 27, 2010. Gloria retired after working for the State of Maine for 35 years. She worked in the Department of Sea & Shore Fisheries and in Maine State Archives. Gloria was predeceased by her parents George and Myrtle Hamblen, her brothers, Edward and Richard, and her husband, Ralph. She is survived by her brother, Donald and his wife, Reiko. She is also survived by stepson, Brian Sylvester and his wife, Debbie, and their children, Nate and Kara; stepdaughter, Jane Kemmerer and her husband, Jim, and their children, Erin, Emily, Michael, Charlie, and Eli; stepdaughter, Debbi Jackson and her husband, Tim and their children, Tori, Hannah, Heidi, and Tyler; stepdaughter, Susan Murphy and her children, Derek, Ashley, and Brock. She is also survived by step great-grandchildren, Webber, Elliette, Bode, Eli, Ayla, Zev, Logan, Lily, Vivienne, Ella, Lilah, Beckett, Sawyer, Peyton, Violet, Hazel, and one expected in October. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, and a great-grandnephew. She was a member of the Manchester Community Church. She was a member of the Winthrop Grange and the secretary for many years and enjoyed working at the Grange breakfasts and planning and leading the annual Mystery Rides. She enjoyed her winter home in Zephyrhills, Florida and was the park’s secretary for many years. Gloria loved the ocean, boat rides, lobster, and doing crossword puzzles. She loved spending time with the Manchester Area Seniors Club where she met her very special friend, Don Smith. Don was a devoted and loving companion for several years and has been entrusted with the care of Gloria’s adored cat, Katy. For the past several years Don has brought so much joy and laughter to Gloria’s life. A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held at the Manchester Community Church on Thursday, August 17, 2017, with Pastor Don Davenport officiating. Visitation will be at 10:00 am with the service following at 11:00 am. Refreshments will be served following the service provided by the Social Committee and Ladies of the Church. Burial services will be at 1:30 pm at the Lakeview Cemetery on the Narrows Pond Road in Winthrop Center. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gloria’s name may be made to: Manchester Community Church Memorial Fund, 21 Readfield Rd, Manchester, ME 04351 P.A.L.S Animal Shelter - 188 Case Rd, Winthrop, ME 04364 East Winthrop, ME Alzheimer’s Association – 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074 The family would like to thank the staff at Augusta Center for Health & Rehabilitation for their loving care of Gloria. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop where condolences, memories, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www,khrfuneralhomes.com