Talented artist and homemaker who enjoyed singing and acting
Gloria Faye Surette passed away on August 1, 2025 in McMinnville Oregon. She was 95 years old.
Gloria was born on February 3, 1930 in Jonesport, Maine to Bernard C. Crowley and Lelia Beatrice Crowley.
Gloria’s father worked for Consolidated Lobster Co. in Jonesport and her mother was a homemaker. Her parents moved with Gloria and her two brothers to Gloucester, Mass., in 1932. They settled into Lanesville where her father then became the captain of a lobster smack.
Gloria met her future husband, Paul Richard Surette, in Gloucester when she was 17 years old, at which time they began dating. She graduated from Gloucester High School in 1948.
Richard and Gloria married in 1951 and bought a home in North Reading, Mass. Richard became the proprietor of Paul’s Lobster Company in Boston while Gloria chose to be a stay at home mom and raise their three children, Alan, Pam and Bernie.
Gloria was a talented artist, and once the kids were in school, she attended Northeastern University to study art during the 1970s. She was a member of the Lynnfield Art Association and painted for many years.
She also sang in several chorale groups and was a member of the North Reading Theatre Workshop, acting in local musicals.
Gloria was raised in church, and had a lifelong faith in God. During later years, she and Richard rededicated their lives to Christ and attended Victory Chapel.
Gloria was predeceased by her husband Richard in 1992, her son Bernard Paul Surette in 2021, and beloved grandson Paul R. Surette ll, in 2023.
She leaves behind two children, Alan James Surette (wife Novi) of Lynn, Mass., and Pamela N. Gaeta of Amity, Oregon; her older brother, Burlon Crowley of Punta Gorda, Florida; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, five nieces and two nephews
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 13 at 11 a.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Please visit Croswellfuneralhome.com to leave online condolences.