Gloria Wright Belli

Gloria Wright Belli, of Audubon, PA, passed away peacefully at the memory care unit of The Meadows at Shannondell on April 28, 2024. She was born on June 15, 1930, in Collingswood NJ to the late Ethel and Alvon Wright. She graduated from Collingswood High School in 1947 and began work as a secretary.

Gloria and her parents were devoted members of the First Baptist Church of Collingswood, where Gloria worked as church secretary. There she met, and fell in love with, William R Belli of Clifton, NJ, a recent graduate of the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. They married on October 9, 1954 and were loving and supportive partners over more than 63 years of marriage, until Bill's death in 2018.

Gloria quickly grew into her essential, and life-long, role as the personal and administrative support person that Bill needed to successfully conduct his work in the gospel ministry of the American Baptist Church, first as an assistant minister in Rochester, NY, then as Pastor in Whitesboro, NY, and finally in campus ministry, first at Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, in the late 1960's and early 1970's, and later in Valley Forge, PA at the national office. Gloria's cheerfulness, attention to detail, and concern for others were the foundation of her success in the role she chose in life.

As the only driver in their partnership, Gloria was Bill's faithful chauffeur to meetings, airports, social gatherings and the like. She also took them on many of their travels, including several cross-country road trips to visit friends and family, and periodic vacations in Williamsburg, South Carolina, Florida, and elsewhere. On many trips, Gloria's beloved pug, Percy, was nestled between Bill's feet on the passenger side. Gloria was justifiably proud of her excellent driving record.

Having little family of her own, Gloria became a most caring and loving addition to Bill's extended family. After moving to Norristown, PA in 1976, for many years Gloria hosted Easter family gatherings that brought relatives from New Jersey and Washington DC to share in the good food and delightful table arrangements that she so lovingly prepared. She hosted many other gatherings of friends and neighbors, always the most gracious hostess to all invited to her table.

Once in Norristown, Gloria and Bill became immersed in the life and people of the local Calvary Baptist Church (CBC). Gloria had multiple roles at CBC, including serving as church secretary for six and a half years, until May 2000. She chaired the World Day of Prayer when CBC was the host church, organizing the day and welcoming women from nearby churches to worship together. Gloria was also active in the American Baptist Women's Ministry. Her friendliness, hard work, and diligence made her a welcomed and valued member of any group effort. Her excellent needle-working, and flower-arranging, skills were frequently called upon.

In 2004, Gloria and Bill moved to the Shannondell retirement community in nearby Audubon, PA, residing in independent living until early 2018. During that time, Gloria provided loving support to her sister-in-law, Florence Fiori, who died in Shannondell's memory care unit in 2014, and to her husband, Bill, whose health began to decline not long after. Gloria began to experience cognitive decline as well. She and Bill moved to assisted living at The Meadows in early 2018, and Bill died in April of that year. For the last two and a half years, Gloria has been in the memory care unit at The Meadows. The family greatly appreciates the loving care Gloria received from Meadows staff.

Gloria is survived by her in-laws, David and Catherine Belli and Lynn Fiori, and her niece and nephews Emily Sussino, Anthony Piacentini, Jonathan Belli and Robert Belli , and their families. A memorial service is not scheduled. Donations may be made in Gloria's memory to Habitat for Humanity for Montgomery and Delaware Counties. Email to: development@habitatmontdelco.org; or call 610-278-7710 x 114.