Gloria J. Jenkins

LEWISTON – Gloria J. Jenkins, 95, of Auburn died on Oct. 13, 2024, following a long life of service to people. She was born on May 14, 1929, daughter of the late George F. Jenkins and Annie (Marshall) Jenkins and had been a Lewiston-Auburn resident all of her life.

Gloria was a graduate of Edward Little High School, St. Mary’s School of Nursing 1950, St. Joseph’s College1974, University of Maine, Portland-Gorham 1977, and completed her Hospital Chaplaincy Certification from Washington Theological Union in 1980.

She worked as a registered nurse for 30 years and nursing supervisor at St. Mary’s General Hospital for 10 years where she inspired many young nurses into truly caring for their patients, not only for their physical but spiritual wellbeing. She left nursing for Pastoral Ministry, returning as chaplain and later Director of the Pastoral Care Department, helping lead the department as one of only 11 accredited Pastoral Care Departments in the country.

From 1973-1975 she was part time faculty for the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals, teaching the nursing audit process. In 1974 she was founder and president of the First Maine Chapter of Critical Nurses Association.

For many years she was a member of St. Philip’s Parish in Auburn being involved in the RCIA process. Gloria had a great devotion to Saint Marguerite D’Youville. She enjoyed her friends, prayer time, vacations at the ocean, classical music, reading and traveling.

A Celebration honoring Gloria’s life will be held on Oct. 24 at St. Philip’s Church in Auburn. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. in the Narthex followed by a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m.