Gloria Jean Parella Kirchner , March 30, 1924 — June 26, 2018

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday July 2, 2018, celebrated by Rev. John Keehner at St. Christine’s Church, 3165 S. Schenley Avenue in Youngstown to honor the life of Gloria Jean Kirchner who died June 26, 2018 at the age of 94 at her residence. She was a Youngstown-area resident for 83 years until her move to Maryland to be closer to family in 2006.

Mrs. Kirchner was born March 30, 1924 to Joseph and Elizabeth Leonelli Parella and was raised on the city’s South Side. She graduated from South High School and attended courses at Youngstown College (YSU) and worked for Carnegie Steel in McAllen, Texas and later, in Youngstown, as a bookkeeper. In 1942, she met her future husband, William J. Kirchner of Brooklyn Heights, NY, as a USO hostess.

After his service in Europe during World War II, they were married in 1949 at St. Patrick’s Church in Youngstown and lived in Boardman until his death in 1999. The Kirchners were founding members of St. Christine’s Church where she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, served as a Eucharistic Minister for thirty years, and was an elected member of the Parish Council. In addition, she was an active volunteer at St. Christine’s School, served as a Board Member and President for the Women’s Committee for Children’s Concerts of the Youngstown Symphony Guild, and, for sixteen years, was a teacher of English as a Second Language for the English Center in Youngstown.

There she formed lasting ties with her students, many of whom were refugees from North Vietnam and Eastern Europe. In addition to her parents and her husband of fifty years, she was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses: brother Albert L. (Marjorie); and her sisters Genevieve, Elaine and Dorothy (Maurice) Hancock. She is survived by her son, Bill (Judy Kahn) of Riverdale, NY, and her daughters Mary Beth (J.J. Yore) of Washington, D.C. and Kathy (Jim Jorling) of Bethesda, MD.

She leaves three beloved grandchildren: Ellie Jorling, Patrick Jorling and Will Yore. In lieu of material tributes, donations may be made in Gloria’s name to St. Christine’s Church, 3165 S. Schenley Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44511. Gloria’s family has entrusted the Fox Funeral Home 4700 Market St. Boardman, Ohio to handle the arrangements for their beloved mother.

Family and friends may visit www. foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and send condolences.

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