ROCKLAND – Gloria G. Spinney, 91, died peacefully at the Knox Center for Long Term Care in Rockland, Sunday, December 31, 2017.  

Born in Rockland, February 10, 1926, she was the daughter of Everetta Allen Compton.  Educated in local schools, Gloria was a 1944 graduate of Rockland High School.   

On February 23, 1946, she married her high school sweetheart, Franklin W. Spinney, in Rockland.

Prior to her marriage, Gloria had begun studies at Knox County General Hospital School of Nursing in Rockland. After relocating to Boston with her new husband, she continued her nurses training at Boston Lying Inn Hospital, now known as Brigham and Women’s.   Just prior to completion of that training, Gloria was diagnosed with tuberculosis and confined to a sanatorium in Gardiner, Maine, for more than a year.   Her confinement there was made even more difficult as she and her husband had been overjoyed by the birth of their first daughter months earlier.   Later, that daughter remembered being told of visiting her mother at the sanatorium, but only being able to wave to her from the lawn below.  

Upon release from the sanatorium, Gloria returned to Rockland where her husband had established a new home for their family where they raised their two daughters.  

As soon as she was able, Gloria returned to work as a receptionist/dental assistant in the newly established practice of Dr. Robert Chisholm in Rockland.  She continued with Dr. Chisholm until his retirement, when he sold that practice to David Theriault, DMD.  Gloria continued as the office administrator/dentist assistance until her retirement at the age of 80.   Throughout her association with the dental practice, Gloria was noted for bringing her homemade goodies to the office.  

For many years, Gloria enjoyed hosting the “Cousin’s Bridge Club” at her home every week.   

She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Rockland, where she was a member of the Kitchen Committee.   In association with that position, she baked for most every event held at the church and through experience, her husband learned to ask, “is this going to church or is it for us?”  before sampling freshly made baked goods he often found in their kitchen.

Gloria and her husband enjoyed longtime close friendships with John and Mildred Wiley and Howard and Norma Meserve.   They often celebrated birthdays and special occasions together.

Although she had no siblings, Gloria considered her cousin Priscilla Penney as a sister.

Gloria’s family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff at Knox Center for Long Term Care, who have been like Gloria’s family for the past five years.

Gloria was pre-deceased by her husband Frank of 66 years, in 2012.  She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Heine, of Rockland; Susan Low and her husband, Stanley, of Lincolnville; her grandson, Andrew Franklin Arthur and his wife, Brooke, and their children, Kail, Maia and James Arthur all of Hollis, New Hampshire; a step-grandson Jakob C. Low and his wife ,Charlotte, of Lincolnville; as well as her lifelong friends Mildred Wiley of Owls Head, and Ruth Low of Rockland.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, January 12, 2018, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a funeral service will begin at 11 a.m.  A reception will follow at the funeral home’s 104 Limerock reception center.   Private interment will be in the spring.

To share a memory or story with Gloria’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.