Gloria Ellen Lerch

On June 30, 2023, Gloria Ellen Lerch passed away peacefully in Morristown, NJ at the age of 88 surrounded by her loving children.

Born in Reading, PA on June 5, 1935, she was one of six children to the late Harvey and Anna Hassler. After graduating Reading High School in 1953, she then worked at the Reading Eagle newspaper in the classified department. In addition, she was an active member of the choir at Faith Reformed Church in Reading, PA. During this time, she also met the love of her life, Donald Lerch. Gloria married her sweetheart on April 26, 1958, and started their family in 1959 while residing in Reading, PA where they began raising four children.

In 1966, she then moved to Sterling Park, VA where their family blossomed to five children. It was here that Gloria created an amazing and nurturing home for her young family. She was more than happy to be a "stay at home" Mom and was the central figure in the lives of her children. Anyone who knew them knew Gloria was the rock of her family, and that's all that ever mattered to her. Her children were her world.

She was an active and devoted member of the community volunteering her time at school activities as well as her children's sports. Gloria spent many Friday nights under the lights with other Moms ringing cowbells and shaking pompoms for her sons playing football, daughters cheering while her husband coached them from the sidelines. She enjoyed working in her gardens and never minded cutting the grass. Afterwards, she would pack up her crew and head over to the community pool for some well-deserved relaxation and sharing long, summer nights with friends.

In 1978, a new job opportunity for Don had them move their family to Flemington, NJ where they resided until 2013. She and Donald remained active with her children's school activities. Gloria helped Don plant a huge garden in their large backyard that produced an abundance of fruits and vegetables. After harvest, they would can and pickle their produce and loved sharing the fruits of their labor. They enjoyed getting lost on back country roads, visiting friends at favorite restaurants, and discovering farmer's markets. Nothing made them happier than to drop off goodies and treats to her sisters, Helen and Barbara back in PA, and then to her beloved grandchildren.

Due to unforeseen health issues, in 2013 she moved to the Basking Ridge/Warren/Berkeley Heights area where she resided in Senior Assisted Living communities. Here she made fast friends and enjoyed playing pokeno and bingo, arts and crafts, jigsaw puzzles and listening to live music. She loved nothing more than to sing along with her friends and was known for her contagious laughter and beautiful smile.

She was predeceased by her daughter, the late Cynthia Lynn Lerch in 1994, and her husband of 58 years, Donald L. Lerch, who died in 2016.

Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Marc and Mayte Lerch of Richmond, VA, and Keith and Denise Lerch of Berkeley Heights, NJ, two daughters and sons-in-law, Dawn and Don Klaproth of Charlotte, NC, and Karen and Tom Ferguson, Jr. of Bernardsville, NJ; and her eleven grandchildren: Nicolette, Natalie, Jack, Jared, Collin, Evan, Devon Lynn, Logan, Tommy, Danny and Matthew. She passed away knowing her first great-grandchild was expected to arrive in October of this year, whom she would have loved to spoil.

Funeral services and interment in Forest Hills Cemetery, Reading, PA will be private under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Foundation for Morristown Medical Center with the specific designation of Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care: https://www.f4mmc.org/donate-now/

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.