Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory Logo

302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Gloria Martin Powell Coe

Gloria Martin Powell Coe, beloved sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away on December 16, 2020 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, at the age of 91 following a brief illness.

Born in Williston, South Carolina, she also lived briefly in Illinois and California before finally settling in Delaware in 1957. She earned her undergraduate degree in Library Science from Winthrop University and an MLS from Villanova University in 1977. She worked at various libraries before becoming library director at Goldey-Beacom College in Hockessin, Delaware, from 1984 to 1996. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she was a contributor and volunteer to many organizations, including the Hockessin (DE) Public Library, Red Clay School District, Girl Scouts, Planned Parenthood, and the Academy of Lifelong Learning.

Gloria was always open and curious about all that life had to offer, which led her to many travels and adventures. Her first trip to Europe came three years after college, while working for the US Army in the library at Ft. Jackson, SC. Since she didn’t have sufficient vacation time accrued, she just “went AWOL” for the trip with two former college roommates. Upon her return, she was called on the carpet by her boss, an Army captain. “Young lady, life is not just about having fun!,” he scolded her, to which she replied, “Well, it should be!” She was promptly fired, of course.

Fortunately for her future children, however, her next job was at the Augusta Public Library in Augusta, GA, where, in 1953, a dashing young northerner named Frank Coe came in and asked for extra time on some already overdue books. She refused – politely, of course – but she had apparently caught his eye, and when they met again at a YMCA dance a few weeks later, love blossomed. They were married from 1954 until his death in 1982, during which time she spent 15 years as a “professional mom” (as she put it) to their three children. As with everything else in her life, she put her whole heart into caring for her husband and children, devoting to them all her time, affection, and support. Even while working towards her MLS at Villanova, she commuted almost an hour each way on weekday evenings to attend class, while still caring fulltime for her three children.

Gloria had great strength of conviction and spoke out forcefully against segregation in the South in the 1960s, protested prejudice against women by marching for the Equal Rights Amendment, and supported many progressive causes, including women’s reproductive rights. She had strong views, but never tried to impose them on others.

For recreation, she loved to travel, and her excursions over the years included hiking in England, tracking black rhinos for Earthwatch, flying over a volcano in Hawaii, photographing equestrian competitions in Sweden, and visiting former headhunters in Malaysia.

Seeing new places was in keeping with her insatiable appetite for knowledge, for she reveled in learning new things in any discipline. Above all, she won over all who met her with her graciousness, thoughtfulness, and limitless generosity. She was a mentor and friend to many in her work and private life, and continued her volunteer activities as long as she could, including acting as head of the library at Kendal at Longwood, the retirement community where she lived from 2005 until her passing.

Gloria is survived by her sister Blanche Powell Bryant, her brother George Wythe Powell, her children Ben Coe, Terry Coe, and Marta Dean, and her grandchildren Camille and Katie Coe, and Kelly and Anna Dean. She is sorely missed by all of them, and they will always cherish her boundless love.

Gloria often said that she worshipped two things in life: beauty and love. No doubt she found her philosophy of life best reflected in a quote from Robert Ingersoll’s book The Great Agnostic because she marked this and kept it with her papers: “Happiness is the only good, reason the only torch, justice the only worship, humanity the only religion, and love the only priest.” She lived by these words and was a blessing to all who knew her. As Ingersoll would say, she “added to the sum of human joy.” There is no greater service to the world.

Funeral Services

A memorial service will be held at Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square, PA, sometime in 2021 when conditions permit. A notice will be sent. Donations may be made in her memory to Doctors without Borders, Planned Parenthood, NPR, or the Employee Appreciation Fund for Kendal at Longwood (www.kcc.kendal.org/about/support-us/ or sent to Kendal at Longwood, POB 100, Kennett Square, PA 19348, check made to “Kendal-Crosslands Communities” with reference to Employee Appreciation Fund).

Condolences

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

When you "Light a Candle" the candle image is posted with your condolence.

Thank You

Your online condolence will appear once approved by our site administrator.