Gloria E. (Mander) Webster

Gloria E. Webster, age 93, formerly of Swampscott, MA died on Feb. 1, 2025 at AdviniaCare Nursing Home in Newburyport, MA. She was predeceased by her first husband Richard Lundin and her second husband Floyd Webster. Gloria was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 1931 in Medford, MA to her loving parents, Gladys and Ernest Mander.

Gloria grew up in Medford achieving great skill as a ballet dancer performing ‘en pointe’ in numerous productions throughout her Medford High School years. She graduated from Medford High School in 1949 and went on to study at the Boston University School of Journalism where she received the award for Most Outstanding Woman Journalist upon her graduation in 1953. Following graduation, she embarked on a summer church mission trip to Mexico with four other young women. Gloria returned to Medford and took her first journalism job with the Middleboro Gazette. She later worked for the Medford Mercury. She was also an active volunteer with the League of Women Voters and was passionate about empowering women and social justice issues.

In 1954 Gloria married Richard Lundin also of Medford. They had two daughters and lived in Oklahoma for three years until Richard passed away.  Gloria and her daughters returned to Medford and in 1965 she married Floyd Webster who had five children. They all moved to Swampscott and remained there for many years as they raised their children, including their eighth child, Paul (born in 1971).

Throughout her life, Gloria found inspiration and comfort in her faith. As an active member of the First Congregational Church of Swampscott and later as the religious education director of the First Congregational Church of Georgetown, Gloria devoted her time to a variety of church activities finding special joy in working with the children and families in Georgetown.

Gloria was a talented fabric artist, sewing colorful quilts, wall hangings, and Christmas ornaments as gifts for the many people in her life. She made quilts for each of her eight children and baby quilts for ten of her grandchildren, as well as making and donating over sixty baby quilts for under-served new mothers. For many years, Gloria was an active member of Crossroad Quilters and Essex County Needlecraft Guild.

Raising eight children was a huge undertaking and yet she found time to volunteer as a scout leader, in church groups, and with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation while maintaining an active role in the community. Gloria also enjoyed collecting antiques relishing in the history of each treasured item. Gloria and Floyd enjoyed travel and in their later years they took trips to France and Italy as well as to the UK and Canada to visit family.

Gloria leaves her children Glenna Etheridge, husband Robin of Newbury MA; Stephen Webster, wife Leigh of Marblehead MA; Kirsten Griebel, partner Emil Dahlquist of Hamilton MA; Keith Webster, partner Barry Collins of Ft. Lauderdale FL; Kent Webster, partner JoAnn Clarke of Swampscott MA; Sarah Murphy, husband Tim of Bradenton, FL, and son-in-law Richard Rappoli of Danvers MA. She was predeceased by her son Paul Webster, and daughter Gail Webster Rappoli. Gloria was also cherished Grandmother to Angela VanArsdale, wife Courtney; Stephen Etheridge; Nicholas Etheridge, wife Sarah; Anna Webster, husband Derek Lewis; Doug Webster, fiancé Anne; Chris Griebel, Paul Griebel, wife Jasmin; Stephanie Griebel; Brooke Webster; Shannon, Taylor and Sean Murphy. Gloria also leaves her brother, Ernest Mander of Sanford, FL; sister Marilyn, husband John Hughes of Conway, NH; and her five great-grandchildren, James and Alice Etheridge, Liam and Sophie Van Arsdale, and Tommy Murphy, as well as many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Gloria touched many people’s lives and her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her especially her family. A funeral service will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the MA Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org or the First Congregational Church of Georgetown, www.fccgeorgetownma.org

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