Gloria Julia Neary

Gloria was born in Central Islip, NY on July 4, 1926, the daughter of William and Meta (Erwied) Heines.

The youngest of five, Gloria graduated from Central Islip High School and at an early age, knew she wanted to travel. She set her sights set on a career as an overseas flight attendant.

In order to fly overseas in the 1940’s and 50’s, flight attendants needed to have their RN diploma. Gloria graduated from the Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing in NYC in 1948. She landed her first overseas flight attendant position with American Overseas Airlines (AOA) and flew with them for seven years.

She married Ralph C. Neary (an airline pilot) in 1956 and they moved to Stony Brook, NY where they raised a family.

In 1970, they moved to Hancock, NH to start a horse farm at the old ‘Ware House’ on Route 123.

During her time in Hancock, Gloria was active in town including working diligently to land Main Street on the National Historic Register. She served as President of the Hancock Historical Society and volunteered with several other town organizations and committees including the Hancock Congregational Church. Gloria was an avid gardener and flower arranger and also served as President of the Peterborough Garden Club.

After Ralph retired, they spent ‘mud season’ traveling – either overseas or around the country by car which included yearly visits to Pawley’s Island, SC.

Gloria moved to Havenwood Heritage Heights (HHH) in 2004 after her husband of 44 years passed away in 2002.

Always known for her great sense of humor and willingness to volunteer, she found a fun new community at HHH.

She served as President of the Residents, helped with various fundraising initiatives, always took part in original comedy productions from the resident run “Pretty Good Talent Company” (not to mention her lip-sync reprisal of Tiny Tim’s Tip Toe Through the Tulips) and many other resident-run productions.

Gloria is survived by her two daughters JoAnne ‘Boston’ of Springfield, NH and Adrienne of New London, NH and several nieces whom she adored and a stepson Christopher Neary of Willits, CA.

The family wants to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the entire team at Havenwood Heritage Heights for its love and support over the past 20 years. This is a community like no other!

A graveside service will be held at Norway Plain Cemetery in Hancock, NH in the spring (a date will be announced) in addition to a Celebration of Life at HHH in February.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gloria’s name to the Hancock Historical Society in Hancock, NH or the Ralph C. and Gloria J. Neary fund at the NH Charitable Foundation based in Concord, NH which supports projects related to issues of the environment, conservation and elder health care issues.