Mrs. Gloria M. (Plourde) Hamel

April 12, 1932 - April 13, 2017

Gloria M. Hamel Beloved Mother and Grandmother Army Veteran Korea DRACUT—Gloria Mary (Plourde) Hamel, 85, passed away on Holy Thursday, April 13, 2017 at York Hospital in York, Maine. She was the loving wife of the late Raymond J. Hamel. Gloria was born in Lowell on April 12, 1932, a daughter of the late Alfred and Laura M. (Patenaude) Plourde. She attended Lowell Schools and graduated from Dracut High School, Class of 1950. While in high school, Gloria worked at Lowell General Hospital in the lab. Upon graduation, Gloria enlisted in the United States Army, serving over three years. She was honorably discharged as a Surgical Nurse. She was the only career women of her time to display a Memorial Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. In her younger years, she was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Lowell. Gloria married Raymond J. Hamel on May 12, 1954 and together they raised five children. When her family was grown, Gloria worked for many years in the cafeteria of the James S. Daley Middle School in Lowell. Gloria was the Senior Vice Commander of The American Legion of Boston and Dracut. She received her third Medal in recognition of her Woman’s Veteran’s Service in Korea from 1950 -1955. She attended several Korean War Memorial Services in Lowell and throughout the country. Gloria was the granddaughter of Major Elzear Patenaude, who enlisted at age 14 during the U.S. Civil War. She was also a member of the DAV of Lowell and York, Maine, and also the American Woman’s Veteran’s Organization. She held membership in both the Dracut and Lowell Senior Citizens. Gloria was an active parishioner of both the former and present St. Francis Church in Dracut and was an integral member involved in the building of the new church on Wheeler Road. She worked closely with Rev. Brian Kiely, as a Eucharistic Minister since 1994, and also in several aspects of parish life at St. Francis. Gloria brought communion to the sick and homebound for many years. She began the Mercy Meal Program for the parish funerals, which were organized and held in the Church Hall. She was also a member of the St. Francis Parish Widows Group. While living in York, ME with her son Paul, she was a communicant of St. Christopher’s Parish of the Ascension. Gloria enjoyed traveling to Germany, Portugal, Australia, Finland, Iceland, England, France, Russia, Mexico, and especially her many trips to Jerusalem. She also enjoyed trips to Florida and Alaska. She was fond of flying, horseback riding, and dining out. Gloria loved family gatherings and holidays surrounded by the ones she loved. Gloria is survived by her children, Raymond J. Hamel, Jr. and his wife Angela (Stevens) of N. Hampton, NH, Paul Norman Hamel of York, ME, Denise G. Cohodas and her husband Stephen of Newburyport, MA, and Diane M. Hamel of Lowell, MA; nine grandchildren, Derek, Shane, Nathan, Ethan, Adam, Nicole, Robert “Robbie”, Christina, and Margaret Mary ; nine great grandchildren, Cooper, Cameron, Destiney, Evan, Alexia, Oliver, Holden, Lucas, and Liam; her brother, Norman J. Plourde and his wife Claire V. (Ouellette) of Dracut; her God Daughter, Suzanne Gloria Connors of Litchfield, NH; several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends, especially from St. Francis Parish in Dracut. Gloria was the mother of the late Debra Ann (Hamel) Coleran, and the sister of the late Theresa Sawyer, Maurice “Moe” Plourde, Roger Plourde, and Robert Plourde. FUNERAL NOTICE HAMEL—In York, ME, April 13, 2017, Gloria M. (Plourde) Hamel, 85, a longtime Dracut resident, the wife of the late Raymond J. Hamel, and a St. Francis Parishioner. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on TUESDAY from 4 until 8 PM. Gloria’s FUNERAL will begin on WEDNESDAY MORNING at 8:30 AM from the Funeral Home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 AM at St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Rd. Dracut. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com