Gloria Marie Beze

Gloria Marie Beze

April 7, 1949 - April 19, 2025

Gloria Marie Beze, 76, of Pompano Beach, Florida, entered into the Kingdom of Glory on April 19, 2025. A woman of deep faith, undeniable strength, and unforgettable wit, she is now rejoicing in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born and raised in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, Gloria was proud of her Italian heritage . . . a love she expressed most vibrantly through her cooking. With no need for cookbooks or measurements, she crafted phenomenal meals with instinct, passion, and a refined palate. Her food, like her presence, was a comfort and a gift to everyone around her.

As a young woman, Gloria was crowned Miss Connecticut and went on to win several pageant titles . . . not for attention, but with determination. She used the prize money to put herself through nursing school, a reflection of her grit, grace, and self-made strength. The photograph many will remember her by captures that era of elegance and ambition.

For the past 20+ years, Gloria called Pompano Beach home, but she raised her daughters, Stacy Leigh Dockrell and Kelly Lynn Brown, in Webster, New York. There, she became a mother to many, not just by title, but by heart. Her home was always open . . . a gathering place full of warmth, wisdom, and laughter. Friends of her daughters affectionately called her “Ma,” “Mama Gloria,” or “Mama G,” and those names stuck because she truly was that figure to so many.

Gloria had a treasured bond with her cousin, Daniel M. Schiavone, whom she loved as a brother. Her devotion to family, by blood and by choice, was unwavering.

At her core, Gloria was a woman of unwavering faith. She didn’t just talk about Jesus . . . she walked with Him. Her strength, grace, and joyful spirit reflected a life deeply anchored in the promises of God. She faced every season with courage, trusting in His plan, and encouraging others to do the same.

She sparkled with personality . . . a true original whose presence lit up every room she entered. Gloria was hilariously funny, quick-witted, and never without a clever remark or perfectly timed one-liner. Her laughter wasn’t just contagious; it was healing, disarming, unforgettable. She carried a playful charm that made people feel at ease, seen, and cherished.

A deeply creative soul, Gloria was a gifted artist who saw beauty where others overlooked it. Whether through her artwork, her storytelling, or her flair for the unexpected, she brought imagination and meaning into everyday life. Her humor and her heart worked in harmony . . . joyful, gentle, and full of fire all at once. You didn’t just meet Gloria... you experiencedher.

She also had a fierce love for animals, quietly caring for many over the years — not only those in her home, but also the ones she came across in the world. If a creature crossed her path, it was met with kindness, fed with care, and treated with the same tenderness she gave so freely to everything she loved.

And don’t get her started on football — Gloria knew the game better than most broadcasters and could’ve held her own as a sports commentator or referee. She never missed the Kentucky Derby either, and watching the races brought her true joy.

Gloria will be missed beyond words by her daughters, extended family, and the many lives she touched along the way. We invite everyone who loved her to honor her memory by sharing a happy story, a memory, or a heartfelt laugh — just as she would’ve wanted.

"Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord."Matthew 25:23