Mrs. Gloria M. Merchant, 44 of 66 Bumble Bee Circle, Shrewsbury, died yesterday in The Memorial Hospital shortly after being stricken at home. She was the wife of Stuart J. Merchant. She was born in Worcerster, daughter of Michael and Dora (Blake) Vitale. Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Stuart J. Merchant Jr. and Arthur J. Merchant, both of Worcester; three daughters, Josephine F., wife of Robert P. Cummings of Worcester, Virginia, wife of Paul Nugent of Westboro and Miss Susan L. Merchant, at home; a sister, Mrs. Beverly Champion of Worcester; two brothers, Anthony and Nicholas M. Vitale, both of Worcester; two grand-daughters, and several nieces and nephews.    

    The funeral will be Thursday from John J. Fay Funeral Home, 2 Woodland St., with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Main Street, Shrewsbury. Buriel will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours at the funeral home are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow.