Gloria was born in Mount Vernon, NY on April 5, 1926 to Randolph and Pearl Sperling Stephens. The family moved to Monroe, CT while she was still a child, graduating from Bassick High School and going to Boston to study nursing and receiving her degree from McLean School of Nursing in Waverly, MA. She met the love of her life Robert and they were married on April 5, 1947. Gloria decided to be a stay at home Mom to her two sons Leroy or as we know him Bud and Barry. Once the boys went off to school Gloria went back to the profession she loved, she worked close to home at St. Joseph’s Manor in Trumbull, retiring from there after many years of dedicated service.
Gloria had many interests through her lifetime, as a student nurse during WWII she was a member of the Nurses Cadet Corps, as a stay at home Mom she designed and baked wedding cakes and always prayed that Robert would deliver them to the bride in the same condition as they left her kitchen. She was an active member of St Peter’s Episcopal Church, were she baked and worked at many Strawberry Festivals, baked more apple pies than one could count, along with finger sandwiches for the high teas. If anyone needed help, they would just call Gloria as she did not know how to say No. That also included caring for both her brother-in-law Elmo before his death and making weekly visits to her sister-in-law Marilyn when she moved into assisted living.
Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Robert of 60 years and survived by her two sons and their wives Leroy/Bud and Christine Mix in New Hampshire and Barry and Maryellen Mix in Connecticut. Gloria’s life included her loving Grandchildren Jason (Vicky), Eric (Amy), Kenneth (Alice), Jason (Michele), Scott, Keith and Daniel.
GiGi as she was affectionately known is survived by her eight great-grandchildren, Caden, Hayley, who recently gave birth to her first great-great grandchild Mackenzie, Henry, Nathaniel, Ada, Derek, Evan and Coralie. She will also be fondly remembered as “Grandma Mix” to Lauren and her extended family. “Grandma Mix” never missed a birthday, or get-well card if one of the children were under the weather, the holidays, or just a note to say “hi”.
“Glo” as she is called by her brothers and sisters is predeceased in death by her parents, Randolph and Pearl Stephens, her brother Clint Stephens and her sister Connie Stephens Beardsley. She is survived by her sisters Audrey Albright and Lois Tabor.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday January 4, 2018 at St. Peter’s Church, 175 Old Tannery Road in Monroe. Honoring her request, there are no calling hours.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or on-line at stjude.org. or The Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or on-line at donate.lovetotherescue.org
DONATIONS
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105
The Shriners Hospital for Children2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607
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