Gloria Hilton Costanzo

Gloria Hilton Costanzo, beloved Mom, Nonna, and friend to so many, returned to her heavenly Father on October 5, 2022. In her final days, she was surrounded by loving family and friends, both near and far. Gloria is survived by her seven children Michael (Chris), Donna, Paul (Martine), Marc, Peter (Karyn), David (Joanne), Jerred (Tanya), 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Edmund, her brother Reverend Father John Hilton, and sister Elyssa Rock.

Gloria was born on June 13, 1936, to Elizabeth Jane McGuinness and Richard Bruce Hilton in Youngstown, Ohio. Shortly after her father’s death in 1942, the family moved to Montreal to be closer to her maternal relatives. She met Edmund Emile Costanzo while working at Bell Telephone in Montreal, and they married on June 30, 1956.

Despite the workload as housewife raising seven children, Gloria always welcomed her children’s friends into her home with an extra place at the busy kitchen table. At times friends came to stay for a little while, and other times for extended periods. The casa Costanzo was also host to countless family occasions with aunts, uncles, and cousins from near and afar. Gloria also found the time to be the community seamstress, making dresses for all occasions, such as graduations and weddings. She was also a renowned candle maker, ceramist, and gardener, surrounding herself with flowers and plants both indoors and out. She put her heart and soul into her creations, even when arthritis made those tasks more difficult.

Gloria has been described by many who knew her as a “pillar of the church and community.” Her faith was manifested through her love and devotion to her family as well as her numerous acts of service and volunteerism in the broader Rosemere community. So numerous were her acts of volunteerism that in 2015 she was recognized by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec and awarded the Silver Medal of Recognition for “Her work with the Catholic Women’s League, Holy Cross Parish (Rosemere), Holy Family Parish (Saint-Eustache), and the Rosemere Volunteer Services. In addition, Meals on Wheels, Rosemere Chapter, since its inception, has been able to count on her support.” She lived her faith in the service of others; her actions embodied the Lord’s message.

Gloria’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the intensive care unit of l’Hôpital de St-Eustache for their incredible kindness and compassion during her last days. Their care allowed Gloria to continue to exercise her sharp wit, serving to lighten the load they all carried.

Visitation will be held at Les Salons Funéraires Guay, 418 boulevard Labelle, Rosemere, QC, on Thursday, October 13 and Friday, October 14 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Église Sainte-Françoise-Cabrini, 210 rue de l’Église, Rosemere. Immediately following the mass, Gloria’s family will invite friends and family to join them in a reception in Gloria’s honor. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

Le port du masque n'est pas obligatoire lors du service funéraire.