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Gloria (Ajello) Richards passed away on February 18th, a few days shy of her 99th birthday.
She was born Feb. 21, 1926 in Hull, UK to Charlotte (Lottie) Jackson Ajello and Louis Ajello. As a child Gloria was evacuated to the British seaside as WWII loomed, and she came of age during the Blitz.
During the war she met an American airman from Wheeling, Sergeant Arthur Robert Richards, and they married in 1945. Gloria joined thousands of war brides who traveled from England by ship to start married life in the U.S.
Gloria and Robert built a life for themselves in Bethlehem, raising three daughters. Gloria was a homemaker and mother, with occasional employment outside the home, enjoying gardening, cooking, crossword puzzles and games of Scrabble with friends. An autodidact, Gloria read countless books about biography and history, and enjoyed classical music and opera. She was a member of the Ohio Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
Gloria was predeceased by husband Robert, who died in 1995.
Gloria is survived by three daughters, Gloria Wheeler and Dianne Richmond of Wheeling, and Roberta Richards of Portland, Oregon; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
Contact gloriarichards@nym.hush.com to be notified about future plans for a celebration of life.