Gloria J. Reale

Gloria J. Reale passed away peacefully at home with her children at her side on March 31st, 2016. Gloria was born in June of 1929 in upstate New York to Charles and Jenny Nicolich. She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Donald J. Reale in 2014. Gloria is survived by her children, Joseph C. Reale of Raleigh and William and Stacey (Reale) Miller currently of TX; grandchildren, Wm. Miles Miller of San Francisco, CA and Rakela K. Miller of UNC-Chapel Hill. Gloria was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She was the center of our world and the heart of our home. Together with her husband, Don, she built a life that involved many IBM corporate transfers in the US as well as Expat stays in Uruguay, Brazil and France before settling in NC in the late ’70’s. She was the first generation born here of Austrian parents and raised in a bilingual home filled with family, food and music. She is survived by her big brother, Charles Nicolich of Ridgefield, NJ and his family, and in eternal peace with her sisters, Viola and Rakela.

Gloria and Don were a true love story. Their devotion to each other was inspiring. Together they knew they could face any obstacle as long as they had each other. Gloria’s quick wit, easy smile and elegant demeanor held Don’s heart for 56 years of marriage before his passing. Gloria was selfless in her love of her children and grandchildren, always deflecting of herself and supporting of those she loved most. Gloria never sought the spot light or attention for herself, but was content and fulfilled to be the behind the scene strength of her family. Her loss to them is immense.

Gloria had a natural “green thumb” and loved her roses, peonies and azaleas. She had a gentle soul that resonated with all the small animals she encountered.

The family would like to thank Stay At Home Senior Care for assisting us in keeping mom in the place she loved the most, her home. Special thanks to her care providers Dee and Darletta, you truly became family. To Kim, Emily and Tara, thank you for the help with scheduling, long term care insurance paper work and treating us as if we were your favorite and only clients. Thank you to Transitions Life Care and our team Barbara, Pippa and Allie.

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 4th from 6-8pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh, NC. Services will be held Tuesday, April 5th,at 11:00am at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 4523 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC. Following a lunch in the church parlor, an interment service will begin at 1:30pm at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers, to celebrate Mom’s love of animals, donations can be made in Gloria’s name to: Second Chance Pet Adoptions, P.O. Box 73, Cary, NC 27512.

Condolences may be sent through: brownwynne.com