Gloria J. Grant

Lyman

Gloria J (Dryden) Grant, 85, passed away unexpectedly on February 18, 2026, in Biddeford Maine surrounded by the loving family she raised and nurtured.

Gloria was born in Biddeford, Maine on March 19, 1940, to parents John and Dorothy (Dow) Dryden and was raised in the area along with her siblings.

Gloria attended Biddeford schools where she met the man who would become her husband. She met Nathan Grant, Sr, also of Biddeford, in 1955 at the age of 19 and they married in 1959. They moved to Lyman Maine in 1970 where they raised two sons and four daughters, living a life full of family and fun for 63 years until Nathan's passing.

Providing for her family, and doing so with vim and vigor, was typical of Gloria. There was no such thing as a stranger, just a friend in the making; and those friends adored the 4-foot 10-inch spark of life that welcomed them. Whether working at the Burger King at the Kennebunk turnpike rest area for years, or most recently as the smiling face welcoming customers to Biddeford Walmart, Gloria's enthusiasm for what she did was plainly evident in the names she remembered and the faces that lit up at the sight of her. Her strong work ethic started at a young age, and she was proud to have taught that to her family.

The biggest source of enjoyment and pride for Gloria was without a doubt her family. Her six children brought 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild into her world. Her family enjoyed the fruits of her labor in the kitchen. Baking and cooking were one of her love languages and she shared freely with all who visited. Favorite memories include Sunday dinners with friends and family—anyone who stopped by was more than welcome to pull up a seat and dig in. That kitchen table is where games were played, stories were told, crafts and projects were made, and memories were always in the making.

While Gloria was ready for a game of bingo and was in the midst a good mystery novel, her life-long hobbies-turned-crafts were knitting and crocheting. She had a knack for just seeing a picture of something and whipping it up without a pattern. If you showed her a picture on Tuesday of a sweater you thought was cute, she'd get to work and you'd have it by Friday. She was fast, accurate, and sharing with you brought such joy to her heart.

Gloria was predeceased by her husband Nathan Grant, Sr; her daughter Laura Wood; brothers John Dryden, and Lloyd Leach Jr.

Gloria is survived by her daughters Lois Labbe and husband Steve, Lisa Drouin and husband Eric, and Jennifer Grant and husband Tony Labelle; her sons Nathan Grant Jr and wife Shannon, and Charlie Grant and wife Sherry; son-in-law Russell Wood; Sisters Shirley Cote, Thelma Levesque, Phyllis Lapointe and Carol Lavoie.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The York County Elder Abuse Task Force

Beacon Cottage 102 Main Street Ogunquit ME 03907

To view Gloria's memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com