Gloria Elaine (Middleton) Brown, 96, of Hanover departed the temporal beauty of this earth for her Heavenly home on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Born in her New Jersey home, just across the river from Philadelphia, on May 17, 1930, Gloria was the daughter of George G. Middleton and stepmother Lucille, and Helen R. (Heagey) Wilson and stepfather Charles.

On Christmas day in 1947, following their graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, New Jersey, Gloria married the high school sweetheart whom she had met on the first day of music class in 10th grade, the late Donald E. Brown, who passed away on December 1, 2015.

Because Gloria had a lifelong love of reading, getting her library card was one of her first acts after moving to Hanover following their marriage. She enjoyed learning new things, teaching others and being a part of her community. Gloria was employed from a young age and always a working mother, having been employed at Woolworth’s 5&10 in Camden, Middleburg Manufacturing (making men’s pants), and Pantry Pride, Food Fair, Wetzel’s Market, and Nell’s all as a grocery store cashier, where she very much enjoyed talking to folks.

Gloria was a member of the Hanover and Adams County Historical Societies, was a trained 4-H leader of the Mason Dixon 4-H Club of Adams County for many years, was a member of the Digges’ Choice Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists, where she served as secretary for many years, was a member and president of the local chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons, and was recognized as a member of the Pennsylvania State Voter Hall of Fame for having voted in more than 50 consecutive general elections.

Gloria’s favorite vacation spot was Wildwood, New Jersey, where she “watched the tram car,” floated on the waves, ate Mack’s Pizza, Springers ice cream, Fish Factory chowder, and Bonelli’s rolls, cheered the baby parade, listened to bandshell concerts, hunted for Cape May diamonds, and sat on the porch and watched, with four generations of family members together, as the world passed by for 52 years.

Gloria deeply loved her family and was a devoted wife to Donald, with whom she celebrated 67 years of marriage. Together, they were the proud parents of Carol A. Hopkins, of Hanover (former spouse Robert, of Hellertown), Nancy J. Hartman (Keith), of Daleville, VA, and Donald E. Brown, Jr. (Kim), of Littlestown. She was a very special “Mamaw” to six grandchildren, Laura Washington, Andrew Hartman, Meredith Hopkins, Brett Brown, Katherine Heretik, and Emma Marek; and was a ready lap and ear to her fifteen great-grandchildren, Edmund, Ellison, Haylee, Carter, Adeliese, Delilah, Caroline, Angeline, Wyatt, Presley, Layla, Averie, Isaac, Dominic, and Bristol. Gloria also cherished many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family who were a part of her life.

In addition to her husband and parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her brother, George G. Middleton, Jr.

A funeral service to honor Gloria’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 15th, at Wetzel Funeral Home, 549 Carlisle Street, in Hanover. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, in Hanover. A time to gather for sharing memories and viewing will begin at the funeral home at 10 a.m., prior to the service.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Guthrie Memorial Library, Hanover, or to the charity of your choice.

Gloria’s family thanks the V.N.A. Hospice of Hanover, for their care, and extends very heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Homewood Living at Plum Creek who did so much to enrich our mother’s life and provide tender care to her as a second family.