SOUTH PORTLAND — Gloria Bernadette (Boynton) Kierstead, 87, died Jan. 16, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Oct. 1, 1927, in Portland, the daughter of Leon Manfred and Angelina (Pomerleau) Boynton. She attended local schools and was a graduate of Deering High School, with the class of 1945.

She married Arthur V. Kierstead on Oct. 16, 1949.

Although she referred to herself as “just a housewife,” she took delight and pride in her vast family, her friends and her home. She enjoyed working on crafts, especially knitting, crocheting and making quilts for her family. She also knitted hats and booties for the “preemies” at Maine Medical Center.

For Kierstead, special things in life included dancing with her husband, laughing at his sense of humor, and traveling with him to many destinations in the United States and Europe.

She was a charter member and past president of Auburn Assembly, No. 262, Social Order of the Beauceant, and also a member of the United Methodist Women’s Club at Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years in 2001; her sisters, M. Doris Moreau and Ruth C. Galipeau; and her brother, Richard L. Swim.

Kierstead is survived by her son, John A. Kierstead and wife, Lorna (Darling); daughter, Marie (Kierstead) Caswell; grandchildren, Amy E. Lee and husband, Travis, Lindsay M. Richard and husband, R. James, Thomas J. Kierstead, Sarah E. Kierstead, Ian Dawson and William Dawson; brother, Lloyd R. Boynton; and sister, Ann L. Stuart and husband, Robert.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Addison M. Lee, Preston P. Lee, Madeline Richards and Carys Butterfield; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins.

A funeral was held Wednesday at Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church. Interment was to be at Forest City Cemetery, South Portland.

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