Gloria Elizabeth Martin

Gloria Elizabeth (Jacques) Martin of Windsor, devoted wife for 62 years of the late Roy Martin, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
Gloria was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1925, in Springfield, MA, daughter of the late Joseph and Myrtle (Robar) Jacques. She was raised in Springfield and graduated from Springfield Technical High School, where she was given the accolades of being Class Flirt and Best Dressed. While in high school, at the age of 16, she met Roy, and soon after their marriage in 1943, Roy went off to war. Upon his return, they settled in East Hartford and in 1952, Roy saw an abandoned little house while moonlighting as a limousine driver for Bradley Field, and together they renovated the 1779 house with the big front porch and raised three children there. It remained her "forever" home until the day she passed.
Of her many accomplishments, her greatest joy was being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Throughout her life, Gloria had amazing amounts of energy, spirit, and strength. Her sense of independence and strong work ethic helped support her family and inspired them to be better every day. For many years, she worked at Tops Department Store, The Windsor Town House, and The Loomis Chaffee School, where she retired from in 1982.
More than anything else, Gloria was devoted to her home and family. She had a wonderful sense of humor, was a treasure chest of memories, loved to tell a good story, and was never at a loss for words. Gloria made it through the best of times and through great adversity with grace and dignity. She loved caring for her family and decorating for each holiday and took great pride in hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas Day for family and friends for over 50 years. For several summers, Gloria's greatest joy was the time she spent with her grandchildren for a memorable week of fun, laughter, sunrise walks, and snacks of all kinds at the little red house; and Heather, Kiki, and Jason cherish those memories to this day. She loved animals, especially her dogs, Rusty, Thunder, and Lightning; and her kitty cats, Big Kitty, Little Kitty, and Zonkie. She was also an avid reader, enjoyed her television shows, tag sales, and of course, her weekly shopping trips on the dial-a-ride bus.
Gloria was a Cub Scout leader, active PTA member, a member of The St. Joseph's Ladies Guild, and founder of a neighborhood 4-H Club called "The Busy Bees." Gloria loved the outdoors from her time as a Girl Scout in the 1930s, enjoyed summers camping at Rocky Neck, making big bonfires, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, gardening, and painting her house well into her 90s. She often said, "I'm as fit as a fiddle'" and "I do it because I can." In her spare time, Gloria enjoyed making doll houses, baking elaborate birthday cakes for her grandchildren, sewing doll clothes, and knitting beautiful Afghan blankets. Happy times were spent in Vermont and Cape Cod, or just relaxing on her big front porch, watching the world go by while reading her daily newspaper.
Gloria is survived by her devoted children, Carole and her husband Lou Kapell of Southington, and Richard Martin of Windsor; three grandchildren, who will forever miss their Meme's love and zest for life, Heather and her husband John O'Neill of Southington, Kiki Chisholm of New Canaan, and Jason and his wife Aine Kapell of Monroe; her seven cherished great grandchildren, Connor, Griffin, and Julia O'Neill, Charles and Miles Chisholm, and Simone and Quinn Kapell; her niece, Susan D'Amico; nephews Dennis Martin and his wife Debby and Gary Martin and his wife Maryann; as well as other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Gloria was predeceased by her beloved son, Roy Barry Martin; her sisters, Eleanor Hammarstrom and Constance Holland; and her granddaughter's husband, Rupert Chisholm.
Gloria's family will receive family and friends on Friday, February 16, 10-11 am., with a Prayer Service at 11 a.m., at Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor.
Burial will follow in Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy, Gloria's life can be remembered through a donation made to The Shriners Hospital for Children or to a charity of one's choice.