Gloria J. (Scott) Champion

Mrs. Gloria Jean (Scott) Champion, of Waltham, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, at Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice House in Wayland surrounded by loving family. She was 75 years old.

Gloria was born in Waltham on June 8, 1949, a daughter of the late Gilbert J. and Helen M. (Statkus) Scott and was raised in Waltham. She married William J. Champion on June 17, 1978, and they had 40 wonderful years together before his passing in 2018.

Gloria stayed at home to raise her family before going to work in 1987 as a Clerk for the City of Waltham Conservation Commission until her retirement in 2010. Her love of nature and knowledge of Conservation and Waltham’s history earned her many friends among customers and staff in the city. She organized the first Waltham Earth day in 1995 and continued for 5 years after. During her employment she was instrumental in the certification of Waltham as a Tree City USA. Once retired she was on the Park & Rec. Board 1996-2000. Her dedication to Waltham was evident in her endless activities, volunteering for the Democratic Ward and City Committee as a delegate to State Conventions, the MDC/DCR Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Upper Charles River Reservation Restoration and the Met State Hospital Re-Use Task Force and last year was appointed to the Conservation Commission.

Gloria worked on the Lithuanian segment of the Waltham Rediscovered Project and events. She began and co-chaired the Prospect Hill Park Advocacy Group in 1992 which brought awareness to the park with various activities, the Park’s Centennial Celebration in 1993, clean ups, concerts, and nature walks. This group laid the groundwork for the Prospect Hill Park Master plan and lobbied the city to hire a consultant to write a plan for city-wide park improvements. Gloria also worked to certify Berry’s Pond as a vernal pool, and in doing so ensured the protection of the area. She was instrumental in the transfer of the Berry Farm/Polaroid Parcel to Prospect Hill Park. She was always willing to take any group, school group or individual on a tour of her favorite park.

Gloria loved nothing more than caring for her family and owing to her proud Lithuanian heritage, became an expert in the kitchen and enjoyed hosting “Baltic Bashes”. No one left Gloria’s home hungry. She was a life-long learner and was proud of being a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society (Massachusetts Bay Community College). She enjoyed reading the classics and especially writing poetry, about life, love, nature and her adventures. She and her family spent many happy vacations at York Beach, Maine. She spent countless hours supporting her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in any activity they involved themselves in. She also made time for any opportunity to learn, speak or talk about her Lithuanian heritage.

Gloria leaves her children Jennifer (Dwinells) Fitzgerald and her husband Frank of Waltham, Bruce Thibault and his wife Kathryn of La Follett Tennessee, Julie Champion, William R. Champion and wife Christine, and Andrew Champion and his wife Stephanie all of Waltham. She also leaves her ten grandchildren; AnneMarie (Fitzgerald) Reynolds of Waltham, Allison Fitzgerald of Lowell, April Fitzgerald of Waltham, Suzanne Galinsky and her husband William of Atkinson NH, Michael Thibault and his wife Emily of Campton NH, David Thibault and his wife Brianna of Ocala FL, Sabryna Lepore, William J. Champion, Charlotte Champion, and Liam Champion all of Waltham. Gloria was great-grandmother to Aiden, Daisy, Aurora, Taryn, Eva, and Tiberius.

She is also survived by her sister Mary Ellen (Scott) Brennan and her husband Donald of Waltham, her sister-in-law Betty (Stutts) Scott of Big Pine Key FL, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Gloria was predeceased by her brother Gilbert J. Scott Jr., sister Elizabeth (Scott) Cusack & her husband Richard, sister Patricia Scott and her cherished grandmother Mary (Yarush) Statkus.

Family and friends will honor and remember Gloria’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20) on Tuesday, January 7th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice House, 10 Green Way, Wayland, Massachusetts 01778.