Dudley—Gloria R. (Betters) Hylka, 89, of Dudley, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family and friends on Sunday, June 28, 2015. Her beloved husband of 51 years, Francis J. Hylka, Sr. died in 1997.
She leaves a son, Francis J. Hylka, Jr. and his wife Sharon; 2 daughters, Linda A. Hackenson and her fiancee John Kraska, Jr., and Laureen A. Wondolowski and her husband Thomas all of Dudley; 5 grandchildren, Jonathan Hylka and his wife Kathleen, Erin Polansky and her husband Kevin, Colleen Goudie and her husband Douglas, Robert Hackenson, Jr. and his wife Shawna, and Michael Wondolowski and his wife Susan; 11 great-grandchildren, she was eagerly awaiting the birth of her 12th great grandchild; her sister-in-law Patricia Hylka, a niece, Susan Niles, a nephew, Fred Hodgson and many cousins; she was preceded in death by her brother Herbert D. Betters in 1996, and by her sister, Vurnice (Betters) Shea in 2005.
She was born and raised in Dudley, a daughter of Daniel and Gertrude (Jewell) Betters. As a student at Bartlett High School, Gloria enjoyed being a drum majorette and performing in the school plays. While attending Bartlett H.S., Gloria worked in the NY Fashion Shop on Main St. in Webster. After graduating in 1944, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she found employment with the Railway Express Agency at Union Station. After returning home to Dudley she was employed for many years at AO in Southbridge. She married Francis in 1946 after he returned from overseas fighting in World War II.
Mrs. Hylka was a proud member of St. Andrew Bobola Church in Dudley.
Gloria and her husband founded Hylka Construction Co. in February of 1948. For over 65 years, Gloria handled all of the administrative duties for the company until her retirement in 2013 at the age of 87. In addition to running the company with her husband, Gloria earned her realtor’s license in 1961, which led to acquiring and managing several rental properties.
Growing up in a farmhouse filled with her two siblings and 12 cousins, Gloria spent her days raising havoc in the fields. A farm girl at heart, she loved to ride bareback on her horse Black Beauty, milk cows, and go from door to door selling strawberries from the farm with her dad. Strangely enough Gloria had an irrational fear of birds...which is ironic since she married into a family who raised chickens. She loved dancing to Polish polkas and enjoyed an occasional Jack Daniels...just enough to make her cheeks rosy. Gloria adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended more of her grandchildren’s sporting events than one can count. Gloria was an overly generous person and it was no surprise that Christmas was her favorite holiday. She was even known to put the red suit on with a pillow over her belly to hand out presents to her grandchildren. However, she wouldn’t hesitate to give someone a gift of coal if she deemed them worthy! Gloria had a great spirit for adventure and traveled to all 50 states and half of a dozen countries. At the age of 75, she even rode a live bull while vacationing in Texas. And at the age of 80, she upped the ante by skiing Stratton Mtn. in VT. At age 87 she lead the way to ride the roller coaster at Santa’s Village. She had a huge sweet tooth and was known to enjoy a large dessert ‘on occasion’ and was quick with a disapproving frown if dessert didn’t meet with her approval, as was often the case with her daughter Linda’s pecan pie!
The family would like to thank the Jewish Healthcare Center Hospice, BrightStart, Brittany, Emily, Grisell, Jen, Jill, Lily, and Melissa for their exceptional care. We would also like to thank all of our close friends for their love, support and visits.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 8 at Saint Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main Street in Dudley. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace in Webster. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Jewish Healthcare Center Hospice, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or to a charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster, MA 01570.