FREEPORT – It is with great sadness, and immense gratitude for the wonderful staff at the John F. Murphy Home in Auburn, that we announce the passing of our beautiful, much-loved Gloria, on Feb. 28, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with breast cancer.

Gloria was born on Oct. 4, 1957, in Augusta, to loving, devoted and always her biggest advocates, Marihalie and William (Bill) Leeman. Gloria was their third of five daughters. Even though her entrance into this world was tough and she had many struggles to overcome throughout her life, Gloria brought laughter, silliness and great amounts of unconditional love into all the lives that were lucky enough to cross her path along her journey. Like most people that required extra assistance with physical and developmental growth during that time, Gloria spent most of her early years in an institutional setting.

Thankfully in the early 1980’s, a new way of thinking began, and Gloria’s world opened for her with her moving to a smaller group home in Gardiner Maine. This change began her journey to more independence and growth. In the latter part of the 1980’s there was another small change in her world when some of the workers where she lived purchased the Uplift home where she lived in Winthrop, Maine. Westwind House was developed at this time and Gloria made lasting, loving relationships both with providers and her housemates, Melissa Savage being one of them. Gloria thrived in this more home-like environment, learning, and developing more independence and having many adventures and making great memories with her housemates.

In 1997 another person, Tim Piper-Martin, came into Gloria’s life to love and support her. Tim joined Marihalie and Bill and made sure Gloria had all the opportunities she deserved for her to have her best life right up to the very end. With the passing of her parents, her much loved sisters assisted Tim to make sure Gloria was happy, healthy and felt loved. With the closing of Westwind House, Gloria’s life made one more change with Tim bringing her into his home to live with him and his husband David. Gloria spent the last of her years in a true home enjoying adventures with Tim, David, their families and friends. Gloria made new friendships and memories with all of them. Also, during these years Gloria spent time with her much loved sisters, which made her extremely happy, having special trips, outings and visits making wonderful memories for them all.

Gloria loved spending time at her various day programs, ending with all her friends at Creative Works in Augusta, Maine. She also enjoyed spending time making crafts, participating in the Special Olympics, and her huge collection of music and her special treasures.

Gloria was predeceased by her wonderfully caring parents Marihalie and Bill Leeman.

She is survived and will be deeply missed by her much-loved sisters, Donna Parkinson and her husband Glenn, Anita Leeman, Teresa Leeman, Mary Colcord and her husband Larry; her nieces and nephews, Patrick Lyons and his wife Kourtney Collum and their son Jack, Halie Goodspeed and her husband Tom and their son Charlie, Jonny Lyons and his significant other Taylor Fenderson, Tallie Colcord and Nate Colcord. She is also survived, and will always be loved and missed by her care giver of 28 years Tim Piper-Martin and his husband David.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Staples Funeral Home, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared at http://www.StaplesFuneralHome.com.

In honor of Gloria,

donations to:

Creative Works

290 State St.

Augusta ME 04330

will be gratefully

appreciated