Gloria Faith (Lee) Raia

Gloria Faith Raia – Salem, NH

Our dear Mother, Gloria Faith Raia (Lee), 89 years old, of Salem NH gently passed on to be with our Lord on June 6, 2020.  She was the loving wife of the deceased James Vincent Raia of Salem NH and survived by her beloved brother, Phillip Harris and his wife Lucille, as well as her friend and cousin, Raeia Maes.

Amazingly, this woman raised seven children without ever raising her voice. She is survived by her seven children and their spouses, Howard Tilton and his wife Theresa, Richard Alfred Tilton, Brad Lee Tilton, Douglas Arthur Tilton, Daryl Dennis Tilton  and her two daughters Sheryl Ann Briggs (Tilton) and her husband Robert, and Maria Faith Raia Hamilton & her husband Russell.

She enjoyed the company of her 20 loving grandchildren: William Tilton, Timothy Tilton, Eric Tilton, April Tilton (deceased), Shawn Tilton, Erick Tilton, Christopher Ward, Christina Tilton,  Ricky Tilton, Travis Tilton, Jessica Tilton-LeClair, Nathan Tilton, Sara Bonilla (Tilton), Elizabeth Melendez-Oquendo (Tilton), Darrick Tilton, Noel Briggs, Adam Briggs, Meghanne Bamberg (Briggs), Max Hamilton, Victoria Hamilton and was proud to call each of them her own.

Her continued blessings also included 28 great grandchildren Ian Tilton, Alexandria Tilton, Michael Tilton, Christopher Baker, Garren Tilton, Ryan Tilton, Jakob Tilton, Logan Ward, Ethan Ward, Darian Tilton, Connor Tilton, Trent LeClair, Trevor LeClair, Cody LeClair, Samara Massey, Curtis Massey, Sareil Williams, Syncere Mitchell, Anaiya Mitchell, Darrick Tilton Jr., Dustin Tilton, Melenya Tilton-Melendez, Randy Melendez, Kevin Dufrense, Tristan Briggs, Tucker Bamberg, Vera Bamberg and Adella Mayka-Briggs.

She lived to enjoy a furthered generation of 3 great-great grandchildren, Kayden Baker, Joseph Gordon, Curtis Massey Jr.,

While raising her children, she was a long-time employee of Western Electric in North Andover, MA and a member of the Communications Workers of America for 32 years. She was also an active member of New Hampshire Grange and the Tenney United Methodist Church in Salem.

She enjoyed many crafts and hobbies, including reading, crocheting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, art, ceramics, calligraphy and was a talented cook and baker who mastered the art of creating wedding cakes, and coloring, word find and jig-saw puzzles, in later life.  She was an accomplished shopper who could always locate the impossible to find items. She traveled extensively and she was a loving companion and caretaker to many furry friends.

Her perseverance and quiet strength are a lesson for each and every one of us. Her sweet disposition and a dry wit will be sorely missed by her family and friends. We love you Mom!

Donations may be made to MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.  Funeral Services for Mrs. Raia are Private.  Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street in Salem, NH is entrusted with the arrangements.  Please visit www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com to sign the online guest book.

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