WINTHROP – On Jan. 7, 2023, Gloria Faye Bellegarde, loving wife and mother of three, passed away at the age of 79 with dignity and grace after her fifth bout of cancer. Her family was by her side guiding her to her Lord and Savior.

Gloria was born on March 11, 1943, in Mexico to Francis and Hilda (Allen) McDonald. On April 11, 1964, Gloria married the love of her life, Joseph Lionel Bellegarde. Together they raised three children, Bruce, Peter, and Paula. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Gloria worked most of her life at GH Bass in Rumford until she decided to stay at home as a homemaker. She and her husband, Lionel, moved to Clarksville, Va. in 1999 where she worked for Food Lion until her retirement in 2014.

She enjoyed going to the VFW with her husband and spending time with Dave, Frank, and all her friends. In 2020, she, Lionel, and her family worked together to move her back to Winthrop so she could be close to her family. She loved camping at Dummers Beach in Weld for the summer and had many fond memories of playing cards and sitting around the campfire. She spent many winters knitting blankets for her family and friends. Many of her family will remember her spaghetti sauce, taco soup, and peanut butter balls at Christmas. While Gloria enjoyed staying at home, she also loved to travel with her family and friends. Gloria was very proud of her 40 years of sobriety. Her family will remember the many silly string fights and playful teasing.

Gloria is survived by her husband of 58 years, J. Lionel Bellegarde; son, Bruce Bellegarde and wife Allison of Londonderry, N.H., son, Peter Bellegarde and wife Amanda of Greene, daughter, Paula Cummins and husband Billy of Winthrop; brothers David, Douglas, and Dennis McDonald, sisters Marjorie Richards, Elaine Packard, Rosalie Owen, and Judy Errington. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents Francis and Hilda McDonald of Mexico; sister, Priscilla Jasud, and bother, Danny McDonald both of Mexico.

Gloria’s Celebration of Life will be at 49 Franklin Reception Hall, Franklin Street in Rumford on Sunday, Jan. 15, beginning at 5 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.

Arrangements are in the care of the Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website http://www.khrfuuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the

American Cancer Society Relay for Life

1 Bowdoin Mill Island #300,

Topsham, ME 04086

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