Gloria V. Gibbons

Teacher, Traveler and Matriarch

Gloria Gibbons, 94, died at home on Friday, June 23rd. She was proud of her Northern Italian roots, her beginnings on 56th Street, Manhattan and the childhood summers she  spent on Staten Island farms and beaches with her parents, Candido and Laura Valle. Gloria was inspired to become a special education teacher, including for children with physical disabilities, because her only sibling, Mary, was paralyzed with polio in the 1950s. She loved her teaching career and often spoke of the many students she had throughout the decades. As  an undergraduate, in what is now known as Baruch College, she met her husband Walter Gibbons. They were both proud and actual graduates of that school. They married and were the parents of Vallerie, Victoria and Kenneth. Gloria was widowed in 1980. Later on, she was happy to become the Grandmother of Isabelle, Gregory and Daniel and the recent Great-Grandmother to Layla and Nadine. When she wasn’t teaching or traveling to most of the world’s continents, she was involved in multiple community acivities including Cooking for the homeless, the Greenbelt, environmental causes, the Garibaldi Meucci Museum, AAUW, the Womens Political Caucus and St. Sylvester’s Parish. She made and maintained friendships easily from wherever she went,  including her travels, the neighborhood and even from her childhood.

Dementia stole her last few years, but she was blessed with help from amazing caregivers who kept her safe, entertained, clean, fed and loved. In return, Gloria rewarded them with smiles, occasional one liners and sometimes impromptu Italian lessons. Also, her Hospice community was invaluable, with their visits, medical care, equipment and needed encouragement and support. Our deepest thanks to them and to her best friend and relative, Father Chuck, who wrote to her daily from California. 

Mom, you are already missed. 

Gloria will be waked on Sunday, June 25th  at the Martin Hughes Funeral Home 530 Narrows Rd. S. in Concord. from 3:00 to 8:00pm. Mass of Christian burial Monday 9;30 am at Saint Sylvesters RC Church. Committal to follow at Cemetery of the Resurrection. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Staten Island University Hospice, 78 Meisner Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306.

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