HOULTON – Gloria Tomah, 77, died Oct. 14, 2011, surrounded by her family at her residence. She was born Sept. 20, 1934, in Houlton, the daughter of Charles and Minnie (Clark) Tomah.
Gloria was a communicant of Saint Mary of the Visitation Church and attended a Curcillo retreat to renew her vows to the Catholic Church. She was a member of Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, where she was past Tribal Council member and the Housing Authority Commission. Gloria was recognized for playing a significant part in establishing the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians as being a federally recognized tribe. Throughout the years she was a foster parent to many band members.
Gloria is survived by her son, Anthony Tomah and his wife, Mary, of Monticello; five daughters, Suzanne Desiderio and her husband, Douglas, Wanda Tomah, Lisa Matthews, Jody Clark and her husband, Tony, all of Houlton, and Samantha Gifford and her husband, David, of Brewer; nine grandchildren, Christina, Justin, Andrew, Jenna, Nichole, Meghan, Keeghan, Joshua and Emma; four great-grandchildren, Amaya, Hunter, Autumn and Abram; one brother, William Tomah of Littleton; one sister, Deborah Atwin of King’s Clear First Nation, New Brunswick; three sisters-in-law, Lorraine Tomah, Joyce Tomah and Bonnie Tomah; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph “Aubrey” Tomah; her brothers, John, Paul, George, Roy, Dean and Monty; her sisters, Mae and Geraldine; and a special son-in-law who held a special place in her heart, Tom Matthews. The family expresses a special thank you to Jane Zimmerman and Debbie Upton for the care they gave to Gloria and her family during her illness.
Family and friends called 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Dunn Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Saint Mary of the Visitation Church. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Gloria’s memory to Hospice of Aroostook, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences and guest book at
www.dunnfuneral.com.