Gloria Betty McGready

Gloria Betty McGready, age 88, of Fleming Island passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on August 27^th, 2019.

The daughter of Ralph DePuy and Elizabeth Youngberg & Stepfather James DePuy, she was also raised by her Grandparents Maud DePuy & John DePuy who she lived with until she was 13.

She was born in Newburgh NY on August 25^th, 1931 She graduated Newburgh Free Academy, she continued her education by majoring in Accounting at Alfred University. 

Gloria was married to John McGready on March 1^st, 1952, they were married for 61 years. Both attended high school together and as teenagers they had once danced together at a local Church Dance but they did not fall in love until a friend set them up on a blind date roller-skating, John was just home from Navy Boot Camp, and according to Gloria he was so handsome in his uniform. They were married 5 months later. John always referred to Gloria as his Teenage Bride.

In the words of our Dad John McGready, below is the first time he had seen our Mom Gloria:

She had been ice skating and was waiting for a bus. She was wearing a white hat trimmed with angora and white gloves, and she had ice skates around her neck. Why would a four- teen-year-old boy remember such a brief encounter? When we were juniors in high school, we sat next to each other in homeroom, but she had no interest in me; she thought that I was so immature. After high school she went on to college, and I joined the Navy. I was home on a weekend liberty in October 1951, and we met at a roller-skating rink. She was as beautiful as ever. During the next two months we spent fifteen days together, and on Christmas Eve, I gave her an engagement ring. We had thought about getting married that summer, but on New Year’s Eve, during a phone call, I said let’s do it as soon as we can. We set the date of the wedding for March 1st, 1952. We hadn’t spent but fifteen days together and we were planning a marriage. The wedding occurred in the same church that my mother and father were married in. When the big day came, as I stood at the altar waiting for my bride, I had second thoughts. Are we doing the right thing? But then I saw her coming down the aisle on the arm of her father, and those thoughts were gone. She was so beautiful. Our first son was born a year later and we went on to have seven children: five boys and two girls. When I look back at our lives and think of all the things that had to happen to lead us both to that skating rink that night, it is utterly amazing. I praise God for his multitude of blessings. 

Gloria was a stay at home mom raising their 7 children, Robert, James, Kevin, Lynda, John, Brian, and Colleen. She then started a career with Sears in the Package Pick-Up Department. After leaving Sears 4 years later, Gloria opened Insurance World in Green Cove Springs with her husband John, where she was the Vice President. 

She loved spending time with her family and always remembered every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild’s birthday with a card, making each one feel special. She also enjoyed gardening, puzzles, and had a love of music, her favorite being Irish music performed by her son-in-law Spade McQuade and the television show Mollie B Polka Party. Gloria also had love for all animals, including her 3 cats that showed up on her doorstep. In addition to spoiling her cats, she feed ever bird, squirrel, raccoon, and hummingbird within a 2-mile radius of her home. Always worrying if they had enough to eat & drink. Gloria made numerous donations to ASPCA, The Humane Society, National Audubon Society, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. 

Gloria is survived by her 6 children Robert McGready, James McGready and wife Mechele, Lynda and husband Don Dapra, John McGready III and wife Cindy, Brian McGready and wife Begona, Colleen and husband Spade McQuade. Also 14 Grandchildren, and 17 Great Grandchildren. Her Husband John, and her son Kevin precede her in death.

Her children will cherish all the special moments & memories that they had with her. She was truly a special lady, and a wonderful mother. 

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Grace Anglican Church, 5804 US-17, Fleming Island, FL 32003.