Gloria Salminen, 97, was born to Mabel and C. Strojny in Worcester, Massachusetts. She and her two sisters, Grayce and Gladys, grew up in Worcester and Plainfield, NJ at the family’s summer home. Her love of nature was nurtured by neighborhood hikes with her dad to check on the wild patches of lady slippers, wild violets and jack-in-the pulpit plants they had discovered near their home in Worcester. She would speak of these treks often throughout her life. She acquired a love of words from her mother, Mabel, who loved to write short stories that Gloria would type for submission to a variety of publishers. After graduating from Commerce High School, Gloria attended secretarial school. After graduation, she worked for the Red Cross during World War II saving money for college. Later while on summer break from Douglas College in New Jersey, Gloria met and married Jouko Salminen from Leicester and together they would raise three daughters. Gloria and Jouko were active members of the Worcester County Light Opera Club for many years. They were also active members of Wesley Methodist Church where they taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Gloria was proud to be a member and past chapter president of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was a natural teacher and was involved in the Head Start Program in Worcester. Gloria also worked for the Telegram & Gazette and then for the Ben Franklin bookstore. She had many friends and experiences from her thirty years at Ben Franklin, which she would hold dear for the rest of her life.
Gloria and Jouko were married for 67 years full of camping and boating trips, family farming adventures and travel trips to visit family across the US and the world. Jouko passed away in 2013. Gloria is survived by her three daughters, Glenda Keith, Gloria Pahigian, and Gilda Green, eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Gloria passed away peacefully on March 2nd with her daughters and granddaughters present.
Gloria’s family would like to thank the staff at The Meadows of Leicester for the care and kindness they extended to her during her stay for the past year.
Funeral services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Meadows, 111 Huntoon Memorial Highway, Rochdale, MA 01542. O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue is assisting the family with arrangements