Gloria Coe

Gloria Coe

Gloria Martin Powell Coe, beloved sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away on December 16, 2020 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, at the age of 91 following a brief illness.

Born in Williston, South Carolina, she settled with her husband B. Frank Coe in Delaware in 1957 and worked as library director at Goldey-Beacom College from 1984 to 1996. She also volunteered at Hockessin Public Library, Red Clay School District, Girl Scouts, Planned Parenthood, and the Academy of Lifelong Learning.

Gloria had great strength of conviction and spoke out forcefully against Southern segregation laws in the 1960s, protested prejudice against women, and supported many progressive causes, including reproductive rights. She was an avid reader and a seeker of truth, and won over all who met her with her graciousness, thoughtfulness, and limitless generosity. Throughout her career, she mentored others and helped countless people in their search for information and knowledge. She continued to contribute as long as she could, running the library at her retirement residence, Kendal at Longwood, from 2005 until her passing.

She is survived by her sister Blanche Powell Bryant, her brother George Wythe Powell, her children Ben Coe, Terry Coe, and Marta Dean, and her grandchildren Camille and Katie Coe, and Kelly and Anna Dean. She is sorely missed by all of them, and they will always cherish her boundless love.

Gloria worshipped two things in life: beauty and love. Her philosophy is best reflected in a quote she saved from Robert Ingersoll's book The Great Agnostic: "Happiness is the only good, reason the only torch, justice the only worship, humanity the only religion, and love the only priest." She lived by these words and was a blessing to all who knew her. She "added to the sum of human joy." There is no greater service to the world.

A memorial service will be held at Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square, PA, sometime in 2021 when conditions permit. Notice will be sent. Donations may be made in her memory to Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood, NPR, or the Employee Appreciation Fund at Kendal at Longwood (www.kcc.kendal.org/about/support-us/).

For online condolences, please visit www.chandlerfuneralhome.com.