1928 – 2015

AUBURN — Gloria T. Cayer, 87, joined her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn. She was recently a resident of the Rumford Community Home and was formerly of Andover.

She was born in Rumford on April 14, 1928, the daughter of Thomas and Adele (Gautreau) Arsenault. She married Adelard “Ducky” Cayer on July 30, 1950, and they made their home in Andover, where they raised four children.

Gloria worked in many places over the years, including Andover Wood Products, Goodwin’s Dairy Shop, Georgette’s Boutique and Davis Florist, all in Rumford. She was known as a wonderful cook, making her famous strawberry shortcake biscuits for the Ellis River Riders horse club, where she helped run the food booth for many years. She was affectionately known there as “Momma Cayer,” and will always be remembered for the wonderful pies, breads, biscuits and goodies she cooked for the guys at hunting camp for over 50 years.

She was an avid gardener with beautiful flower gardens all around her home. She also enjoyed many outdoor activities, including fishing and hunting, hiking, biking, camping and anything else involving her family or travel.

Survivors include her daughters, Deborah Cayer and her husband, Matthew Bean, and Sharon Perkins and her husband, Jim, all of Andover; a son, George Cayer and his wife, Lori, of Rumford; granddaughters, Larissa Wing and her husband, Jason, of Rumford, and Hillary Cayer and her companion, James McLamb, of Bethel. She also leaves a sister, Pearl; and several very special nieces and nephews in California, as well as her BFF and sister in Christ, Ronda Shaw, with whom she shared her life and her walk with God.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ducky, on April 6, 2003; a daughter, Sandra Faye Cayer in 1970; sisters, Shirley, Ruth and June; and a brother, Al “Rudy.”

The family would like to thank the Androscoggin Hospice House for her peaceful last night and a very special thanks to all the staff at the Rumford Community Home for the wonderful care and attention given to our mom over the past months.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.