Gloria (Hesphelt) Carlson, 95, of Bethlehem, Connecticut died peacefully at her home on Oct. 19, 2016 surrounded by the love and comfort of her family after a brief illness. She was the widow of John Carlson.

Gloria was born January 28, 1921 in Waterbury, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Adolph and Etta (Eilhertz) Hesphelt. She was a graduate of Wilby High School and attended Post College Secretarial School and spent many years working as a secretary for the City of Waterbury School System retiring from Wallace Middle School. After retirement, she relocated to Alna, Maine, where she was an active volunteer for the literacy volunteer group and enjoyed teaching many people how to read.

Later in her life, she relocated back to Connecticut and made her home with her son, in Bethlehem for the past 11 years. Although Gloria lived a long comfortable life, her darkest and most difficult time was when her eldest daughter, Lynn, passed away at the age of 42 in 1989. This was a very trying time for Gloria and now her family is able to find much comfort in knowing that they are again joined together. Gloria was an avid reader and it was rare to find her without a book in her hand. She also enjoyed swimming, gardening, and traveling but what brought the greatest joy to Gloria was spending time with her family.

Among her survivors are her sons, John “Jay” Carlson and his wife Elizabeth of Hill, New Hampshire and Mark Carlson of Bethlehem, Connecticut, in addition to her six grandchildren, Bree, Ivy, Dylan, Chelsea, Amy and Jennifer, as well as her five great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Lynn Carlson, and her sister, Jean Newell.

The Carlson family would like to thank and acknowledge the Aging Better at Home Association of Wolcott, Connecticut and the VNA Northwest Hospice for the loving care and support they provided to Gloria and her family during her illness.

Funeral services Mrs. Carlson will be held privately and at the convenience of her family. To honor her memory, donation in her name can be made to the VNA Northwest Hospice, 607 Bantam Rd. Unit F, Bantam, CT 06750. To send an online condolence to the family or for additional information please visit the funeral home website at www.oneillfuneralhome.com