Gloria Julia Sammis (nee Mann), passed peacefully on February 21, 2023, at her son’s residence in Williamstown. Born in Greenville, NY, she lived the first twenty years of her life in Hamburg, NJ. Once married, she resided for the next forty-four years in McAfee, NJ. Her passing has created a void for every community in which she played an important role.

Her loving and devoted son, Linn D. Sammis, Jr, survives Gloria. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Linn D. Sammis, Sr.; her parents Sherman Francis and Julia Frances (nee Vance) Mann; her dear sister June Silconas and her husband William “Bill”; her cherished niece Betty Silconas and in-laws Leo Sammis, Sr. and Dolores Sammis. Gloria is also survived by her only, prettiest and most loved niece Kathy Colasurdo and her husband, Joe; nephew Leo Sammis, Jr.; great-nieces Stefanie, Leigh Ann, and Gina. Many surviving friends and cousins and extended family will surely miss her. She left an indelible impression upon an innumerable group of people over a period of 83 years.

During her Hamburg life, she attended the Hamburg Public Schools and graduated from the Hamburg High School. Training for life definitely began at Hamburg High. Suffice to say, as a teenager, she wore many different hats by serving many different school clubs.  Graduating in 1957, Gloria continued her education, attending a year long, intensive course at Katharine Gibbs in Montclair, which paved the way for her to become a legal secretary. That was a short career because Linn arrived in 1960. Her role quickly changed from young career woman to young fulltime housewife, Mommy to a “Rug Rat” nicknamed, Linny. All joking aside, she dutifully accepted that position with love and grace. However, by 1972, the roles for women were changing. Readers of this piece, you know your history. No more verbiage!

As 1972 unfolded, Gloria and a group of several other women decided it was about time that Vernon Township needed a Woman’s Club. Community issues needed to be addressed. The needs presented themselves, and the Vernon women provided their time, talents, and hard work to fulfill those needs. The Vernon Township Woman’s Club came to fruition; a Charter was drafted and accepted! Again, the rest is history.  Fifty-one years later, the club, stronger than ever, continues to address community needs. Their fundraising, charitable contributions, and several other community outreach programs service, not only the Vernon community, but help Sussex County and the entire state of New Jersey.  In 1978, after fulfilling many executive roles for the Vernon Club, Gloria moved forward to the state level-NJSFWC at the Headquarters in New Brunswick. Over a thirty-year period from 1978 – 2016, Gloria held thirty different office positions. The consummate Chairman she was! Even though NJSFWC consumed most of her time, she never forgot, nor neglected her local Club-Vernon Township! She remained faithful and continued to tirelessly work for the Vernon Club.  The NJSFWC annual convention was an event that Gloria never missed! Held in many different locations throughout New Jersey didn’t present a problem for her.  She was there; however, the 2019 Convention marked her final one.

Parkinson’s Disease was advancing, her tired body had difficulty managing the busy and challenging, and long hours involved with a typical convention.

Life was full and rewarding for Gloria! She loved to cook, bake, sew, quilt, cross-stitch, travel, and party. She even taught Kindergarten Sunday School at the Hamburg Baptist Church for twenty-five years. Where did Gloria find the time?

During the summer months, you would find her and her sister-in-law Dolores at the farm road stand, once located at the Sammis Brother’s Produce Farm in McAfee. Gloria and Dolores, two formidable, humorous, and hardworking women, managed that business together for forty-five years. Both ladies or the “Corn Ladies” as many customers used to refer them shared a gift of gab, salesmanship, and good listening skills. Both ladies were like roadside psychologists, listening to every customer’s triumphs and foibles. They were always quick to offer advice or a solution. Needless to say, people loved Gloria and Dolores, especially the little children who visited the stand with a parent.

Even after, her husband’s sudden passing in 2004, She put one foot in front of the other and continued on with life. She remained with Woman’s Club. Traveling with her son was always a treat. Vegas and Atlantic City were her favorite destinations. Need this author explain why?

The quarantine of 2020-2021 did not work well for Gloria. Being isolated robbed her of using her social skills; skills that she had truly honed throughout life!! Parkinson’s Disease, for her, advanced into the final stages, rendering her speechless.  Unable to laugh, unable to eat on her own, and unable to completely walk, this fiercely independent woman was now dependent. This notion did not cotton too well with her.

After a lifetime of many achievements, this wonderful woman will be celebrated. A viewing has been planned for Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Egizi Funeral Home, located at 119 Ganttown Road, Turnersville, Washington Township, NJ  08012. Gloria will journey back to Sussex County in Northern New Jersey; the location of her original home.

A second viewing will commence on Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, located on NJ-94 in Vernon, NJ. The viewing begins at 4:00 pm and lasts until 8:00 pm.

Her sendoff to the lofty realms of heaven, the highest mountain she will ever have to climb, takes place on Tuesday. Oops, did this author forget to inform you that Gloria loved to hike. When she turned 50, she aspired to climb Mt. Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She did it!! The climb to the summits of heaven will be her greatest achievement!

On Tuesday, February 28, a viewing begins at 11:00 am, followed by a service, beginning at 12:00 pm at the Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, and the interment will take place at the North Hardyston Cemetery. If able, please join in the celebration for this remarkable woman who filled a life with innumerable achievements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vernon Twp. Woman’s Club, PO Box 175, Vernon, NJ 07462 or NJ State Federation of Woman’s Club, 55 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 or by clicking on the link.