Obituary : Gloria C. von Mehren
Gloria C. von Mehren, 88, died Friday, Dec. 19, at her home on West William Street in Vineyard Haven after a long illness, with her family by her side.
She was the widow of Eric von Mehren, a full-time employee of the Sylvia Funeral Home with Edward Sylvia.
She was the daughter of Manuel P. and Rosa (Amaral) Silva. She was born in Vineyard Haven on April 16, 1920 and was for the most part a lifelong Island resident. She lived in Westfield, N.J., between 1945 and 1957 where she met her future husband.
Gloria was one of the first certified nurse's aides for the Martha's Vineyard Hospital and retired after 17 years of service.
Gloria enjoyed time spent with her family and especially her grandchildren. She loved baseball and watching the Red Sox. She was known for her exceptional cooking skills and gardening. She also enjoyed bird watching and feeding them.
She is survived be her son, Dennis von Mehren of Belfast, Maine; her three daughters, Linda Chambers of E. Falmouth, Deborah von Mehren of Oliver Spring, Tenn., and Pamela Alley of Vineyard Haven; her brother, David Silva of New Bedford; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers, Manuel Silva, George Silva and John Silva, who was killed during World War II and her sister, Mary Dias, who died this past September. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Her funeral mass was celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs on Tuesday, Dec. 23, followed by burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.
Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
