Claudia Gagliardi

Claudia Gagliardi, 78, of Portland, Texas passed away on July 3rd. 

Claudia was born on November 30, 1946 to John Glennon and Helen Bedford in Urbana, Illinois. After graduating from Phoenixville High School she went on to study at Quinnipiac University and Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism. Her early career included working for Lee Tire and New Holland in Pennsylvania. 

She married the love of her life, Vince in 1971 and they settled in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania where their daughter Emily was born. In 1976 they moved to Portland, Texas where they soon welcomed their second daughter, Sarah. 

After Emily was born she spent many years as a full time mom. Later she was a contributing writer for several south Texas publications including the South Texas Catholic and Beachcomber Magazine. When her children were grown she began a new career as an Insurance Adjuster for catastrophic events. 

She loved her family, living on the Texas coast, her church and her hometown of Portland, Texas. One of the things she loved about Portland was going to the grocery store every day and running into friends and neighbors. She gave her time to community organizations and found joy in the people she met through them. Through the years, she was involved in her daughters’ schools, the Paisano Girl Scout Council, ChatWork Civic Club of Portland, and Republican Women. Being a mom was her best job and where she truly shined! 

Claudia’s faith was important to her and she was an active member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church. Claudia was a member of Catholic Daughters and was a founding member of the Thursday Morning Prayer group. 

Claudia was preceded in death by her husband Vince, parents John Glennon and Helen Bedford, and her brother Michael. She is survived by her daughter Emily (Bryan) Ellis, his daughter Sarah (Warren) Jones, and grandchildren Julia, Samuel, and Lucy Ellis, and Eric Jones. She is also survived by her siblings Glenn (Martha) Bedford of Pennsylvania, Richard (Kathy) Bedford of Pennsylvania, and many nieces and nephews.

Rosary will begin at 10:00 am with Mass immediately following on Tuesday August 5th at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church in Portland, TX. Interment to follow at The Palms Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Taft.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (36) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com