Gloria G. Operario

Gloria Serra Geli Operario was born on December 30, 1932 in Cebu, Philippines, the third of ten children of Hilario Geli and Consolacion Serra. She and her family endured great hardship and privation during WWII and the post-war years, but emerged from that period with optimism and a desire to create a better world. She studied Education at the University of Southern Philippines and taught High School English and Home Economics in the Capital of Samar Province. She married the love of her life, Salvador Operario, and immigrated to the United States, where she raised her three children, Sarah (Charles), Ginna (Robert) and Don (Shawn). In the US, she worked in the insurance industry, grew Cattleya and Cymbidium Orchids in her backyard and played piano in her living room. She loved food, and cooked amazing meals for her family. She was incredibly proud of her five grandchildren, Charlie, Pascal, Stevie, Katie and Jamie and doted on them. After retirement, Gloria and Salvador had grand adventures traveling all over the world, tasting great cuisine and meeting interesting people. Following the death of Salvador in 2011, Gloria took turns living with each of her children in different states until deteriorating health caused Gloria to be confined to NJ, at the home of her eldest child. After a bout of pneumonia, Gloria died on May 22, 2019, surrounded by her children and embraced by their love.