Gloria Joy Beaulieu Daley died peacefully, sure of the love of her two daughters, Sara and Kristen, who were singing with her until her last hours.
Loved by so many, Glo had friends all over the world. She loved to travel and the adventure stories at her commemoration and burial brought much laughter and joy.
Glo grew up in a large matriarchal French Canadian family in Manchester, N.H. After a short time in California, in 1972 she settled in the Burlington area to raise her children, live an activist lesbian-feminist life, and change the world with her generous and brilliant spirit. As an RN, Glo helped to start the Vermont Women’s Health Center as soon as Roe v. Wade passed, the first women-run abortion clinic of its kind in the country. With the help of friends, she built her home in the Vermont woods, living off the grid until the home burned down years later. In the 1980s, she helped to find the land, raise money and nourish HOWL (Vermont women’s land) and will be remembered in the memorial garden there.
Glo’s beloved partner, Susan Smith, predeceased her in 2021, after Glo cared lovingly for her through Alzheimer’s. Her grief at losing Susan exacerbated her own cognitive and physical decline, but through it all, Glo sang her heart out, appreciated nature, played Scrabble, felt gratitude and shared stories of a life so well lived and loved. Kris took the helm and steadily guided Glo through tough spots to the end. Warrior, healer, activist, Buddhist, sailor, mother, lesbian, traveler, adored friend. Glo is survived by her daughters, Kris and Sara; many dear friends, including her special Tita; grandchildren, Gus, Maxine and Veronica; and great-grandkids, Evelyn, Will, Wyatt and Isaiah, who all carry Glo’s revolutionary spark.
Visit Glo at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington, especially when it’s snowing. View the video recording of her commemoration and burial at youtu.be/O5ajBECRbjU?feature=shared.
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2025.