November 15, 1934 – February 26, 2026
READING – Gloria Mary (Gourd) Saulnier, 91, of Reading, Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026, after a recent illness in a peaceful location with family present.
She was born November 15, 1934, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, the daughter of the late Samuel and Mary (Jurczyk) Gourd. Gloria was a graduate of Franklin High School, married, raised five children, and made homes in Cumberland, Rhode Island, North Attleboro, Attleboro, eventually finding her way to Reading. She was an organist and soloist at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church of North Attleboro and Saint Martha’s Church of Plainville, proudly held the copyright of a song she composed, and considered herself a spiritual woman. Gloria was the founder of Heavenly Handiwork, a maker of liturgical vestments, an avid reader, and enjoyed puzzle making, knitting, crocheting, and gifting her crafts. She was well known for her generosity and kindness.
Gloria was preceded in death by her sons, Raymond Saulnier and Philip Saulnier, her brother, Samuel Gourd, and her former husband, Albert Saulnier.
Gloria is survived by her daughter Carolyn Saulnier of North Attleboro, her daughter-in-law Tracy (Hawkins) Saulnier of Fall River, her son Michael Saulnier of Acton, her son Brian Saulnier of Limerick, Maine, her brother Gerald Gourd of Indian Land, South Carolina, and her sister-in-law Helene (Saulnier) Joubert of Attleboro. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.
Visitation, to which relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend, will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 8:30 to 10:30 AM in the SPERRY-MCHOUL-PICHI FUNERAL HOME, 15 Grove Street, North Attleboro, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by the Reverend David A. Costa at 11:00 AM in Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church (Transfiguration of the Lord Parish), 14 Park Street, North Attleboro.
Interment in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Franklin will be held privately at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gloria’s memory to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
