Gloria A. Russo

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, How much you will be missed. I think of all you were to me: a wise sister, an Aunt to my children and especially a mentor that gave extraordinarily great advice. My children remember the times you helped them create special gifts. I treasure our private talks we had on Saturday mornings and I think of you daily as I pass the calendar you gave me 26 years ago. My love, Dev

Gloria Ann Russo My dear friend, you will be missed. No, I miss you already. You opened your heart and your home to me when I so needed a good friend and a new beginning. You took me under you wing and taught me the importance of details, surrounding yourself with beautiful and lovely things, having a home that you love to come home to, and most importantly, making and keeping good friends through life. I remember the first day I met you. You were arranging for your court clerks to get paralegal training at SLCC and after about 45 minutes of delightful conversation, you turned to me and said, “Get use to my face because you and me. . .we are going to friends for a long time.” And we were. We laughed, we cried, you sometimes even told me off. “You can’t move forward if you’re looking behind you.” I can’t even begin to recount the things I learned from you. Most of the time, you just made me laugh when I needed it most. I’ll miss our talks, our visits, lunches out and quick shopping sprees. Your open-door policy with a quick cup of coffee in the afternoon or slow pour of wine and a good conversation. You always knew how to make a day better. I’ll miss your face. I’ll miss your quick wit, sharp tongue and the exuberance you had for new things, new plans and new people. I’ll miss how you worried about people and tried to help them when you could, or you’d figure how to get someone else to help. I hope you smiled when you closed your eyes – I hope you remembered the decadence, the tinsel, the hope, the joy you shared with us. Gloria the great organizer, manipulator, delegator. She loved beautiful things and had this incredible way with exquisite details. The collectibles of bunnies, piglets, roosters and pears; the search for first edition signed novels and the over the top collection of Christmas and Fair Tale Nutcrackers. Her dinner parties were works of art with not only the beautiful tables she set and wonderful food, but with the most amazing people and conversations. There was an effervescence in her home that was contagious during holidays. She loved her friends, she loved to bring people together, and just wanted everyone to have a better life. She left this world a better place, right up to the end, still trying to make things more beautiful. My dear friend, you are my most unforgettable person. Pamela Blevins

Dear Family. Gloria is such a joy! Although she didn't have children, she 'mother ed' everyone. Her parties are epic and her cooking filled with love. She showed me love and I cherish her memory. I am so blessed to have had her in my life. All of you are her joy and a testament of a life well lived! God bless you all during this very difficult time. Michelle Cronin Jones

I miss happier times at the VFW breakfasts with Aunt Gloria and my mom (Susie) bickering. Aunt Gloria was feisty and stubborn; those are the traits that always kept me laughing. She was also giving (sometimes forcefully). I will miss her presence as will so many in this world.

Sending my felt prayers and condolences. May she rest in peace. From me Lisa Russo Archuletta and My mom Stephanie Smith

From me and my family - we will MISS you!

Rest In Peace Gloria.