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Gloria (Beard) Graf

Gloria (Beard) Graf

  • February 10, 2012
  • West Hartford, Connecticut
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Memories & Candles

“To all the Graf Family, Please accept our deepest sympathy at this time. Fondly,We remember Gloria during her days at Watkinson. May the love of...Read More » ”
1 of 6 | Posted by: Patti and Richard Broad - CT

“When Gloria shared her happy memories of her life on their farm when Kate was a child, her whole face lit up! I'm so glad I had an opportunity to...Read More » ”
2 of 6 | Posted by: Linda - West Hartford, CT

“Mark, Lynn and the family of Gloria, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult and transitional time. May your many fond...Read More » ”
3 of 6 | Posted by: Dave Olson - Avon, CT

“Dear Family, I send you all my warmth and prayers. I, too, share many lovely memories of visits to Wellfleet and having long charts and yummy...Read More » ”
4 of 6 | Posted by: Erin Elizabeth Donovan - Talent, OR

“Dear Family, I will always rememer Gloria for the kindness she showed me when I was a young girl at college and best friends with her daughter Kate....Read More » ”
5 of 6 | Posted by: Angela Raymond - Gainesville, FL

“Dear Graf Family: I've been thinking about dear Gloria all week and our many festive times in Cape Cod when Gloria and family had welcomed me to...Read More » ”
6 of 6 | Posted by: Derek Scheips - New York, NY


The family of Gloria Beard Graf deeply mourns the passing of their beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother on February 10, 2012 in Hartford after a brief illness. She was born October 2, 1923 in Montclair, New Jersey to her parents William Cecil Beard and Katherine Yates Beard. After her parents' divorce she was raised by her mother and her second husband Arthur Umpleby. Her paternal grandparents William C. and Grace Carpenter Beard also played a large role in her upbringing.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years Norman T. Graf of West Hartford, her daughter Kathy Kellett and her husband Frank of Farmington; son Thomas Arthur Graf and his partner Charles Dare Scheips, Jr. of New York City; and son Mark James Julius Graf and his wife Lynn of Avon. Gloria leaves three grandchildren Tonya Mae Kellett-Gorecki and her husband Alec, Joshua Kellett and Christopher Kellett and one great grandson Timothy Gorecki. Gloria is also survived by her brother Oliver Beard.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s Gloria served as the librarian of the Watkinson School in Hartford. She was a longtime member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Hartford and during her summers at her beloved Cape Cod at the Church of Saint Mary of the Harbor in Provincetown. Gloria fully lived as her name implied glorying in the fellowship of the many family and friends that populated her long life. She was a great lover of nature and the many family pets that she had throughout her life including her present cat Charlie and dog Pat.

A memorial service will take place this spring. For online condolences and service information please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com. As she requested, her ashes will be scattered at Blackfish Creek near the summer home she built in 1967 in Wellfleet on Cape Cod. Gifts in her memory may be sent to: Dwight-Inglewood School, 315 East Palisade Avenue, Inglewood, NJ, 07631-3146 or another charity of your choice.