SALEM – Mrs. Gloria Jean (Cote) Pierce, 79, of Salem, beloved wife of the late Arthur W. Pierce, died peacefully, Monday, October 14th, 2024, with her loving family by her side.

Born in Chelsea, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Marguerite (Smith) Cote. She was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1964.

Mrs. Pierce had been employed with the City of Salem for many years as a Bus driver for special needs children until the time of her retirement in 2004.

A lifelong resident of the city of Salem, Gloria loved her connection to Salem and was extremely honored in being a Salemite. She could recall all of the local families and their connections to her and the city. She was quite proud of her heritage. An avid and voracious reader, Gloria would often finish multiple books during a week. It was her true passion. She loved to cook and host family members for meals. She was a true people person with a spitfire personality, you always knew when Gloria entered a room, she had tremendous presence. Family was at the center of her life and paramount in all of her deeds and actions. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt who will be deeply missed.

Gloria is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth M. Pierce and her fiancé, Jason Pike of Salem, her son, Salem Police officer, Edward Pierce and his wife, Lauren Henderson Pierce of Beverly, her grandchildren, Molly and Jake Pierce, her sister-in-law, Carmella Cote of Salem and several nieces and nephews, including Deb Tierney and Page Day with whom she had especially close relationships. She was the sister of the late Patricia Day and James Cote.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq. (at Salem Common) SALEM, Tuesday, Oct. 22nd from 4 to 7 P.M. All other services are private. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com