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With heavy hearts, Gloria M. Leighton has joined her soulmate in heaven. She passed on to heaven to be with her beloved husband Frank at Passadumkeag on December 13 with her daughter Deanna at her side. She was born in Millinocket, Maine November 1, 1933, the daughter of the late Archie and Gladys (York) Lyons. She was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin. Gloria graduated from Stearns High School in 1951. She attended Somerville, Massachusetts School of Nursing and graduated from Husson College in 1957. Upon her graduation, she was employed at the Royal-Globe Insurance Companies until the office closed, then was employed as administrative assistant to the vice chancellor of the University of Maine for ten years, and then to International Paper as administrative specialist, retiring after 21 years in 2000. She then took jobs to keep busy at St. Joseph Hospital working on the medical unit and other units and as a receptionist at the Maine Veteran’s Home, working part time at each location. She loved listening to country music and often played her guitar when she had time in her busy life and she and her husband often followed Midnight Rose when they played. She and her husband were avid dancers and often went to dances in the area. When her husband was alive, they were active in the Anah Shriners, where Frank was a member of the Provost Guard. She and her husband often played bingo every chance they could. Our mother is at peace with the angels now and we can’t wait to see her again and walk with her among the angels. Her commitment and love for her family is unmatched. She left so much to each and every one she touched and taught us all so much about the meaning of life. She gave everything of herself and to so many others, even when she was ill. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and riding horseback with her beloved mare Jessica “Jesse”. She also loved her dog, Molly. She lived her life to the fullest, even after Frank died. She is remembered as intelligent, spirited, with a sense of humor and a loving friend. She married Frank M. Leighton of Lincoln July 26, 1962 and together they brought up three children, Glenna Marie, Randy Keith, and Deanna Lynn. She was a member of the Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono, also a member and past matron of Good Samaritan Chapter, OES (now Milwee Chapter #198). When her children were young, she was very active in the Rainbow Chapter and DeMolay; a life member of the Sunshine Club for Children; member of the Millinocket and Stearns Alumni Association, the American Legion Aux. Post #12, the Disabled American Veteran’s Aux., the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aux., and a lifetime member of the AARP. She was a notary public for many years, and received a lifetime appointment of Dedimus Justice by Governor King for the Bangor area in 1997; appointed to the comprehensive planning board for the town of Glenburn for 1998-1999; appointed by Governor King as a member of the Travel Advisory Council in 1999. Her fondness for all kinds of animals, particularly horses, was told in the number and kind of animals that were kept by the family, making many of them family pets down through the years. She was a member of the American Paint Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. Gloria was a member of the Humane Society of the US and supported many of their programs. She was active in the horseback riding field for many years, being a judge at many of the area and Aroostook County horse shows. She and Frank and their children traveled all over the state in the 1960’s, 70’s, and 80’s to horse shows, where many trophies and ribbons were won. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 42 years on 01/13/2005 when he was killed in a tragic vehicle accident, an infant son, Frank Jr, brother Keith Lyons, and sisters-in-law Barbara Lyons and Patricia Leighton, who were special to her. She is survived by her three children, Glenna Marie and her husband Glenn, Randy Keith, and Deanna Lynn and her husband Stuart, five grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, special friends Melissa Dow, Dale Stout, Sherri O’Roak, and Joan McCullough, of LaChute, Canada, whom she corresponded with and visited with since fourth grade, and the many friends she made through the years. A funeral service will be held 11am, Monday, December 19, 2016 at Brookings Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, with the Reverend Lorna Grenfell officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 10am until time of service Monday. Interment will be 12noon, Tuesday, December 20, beside her beloved husband Frank at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta. Those who wish to remember Gloria in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Shrine Hospital for Children, c/o Anah Shriners, 1404 Broadway, Bangor, Maine 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com