Gloria Gerena

Gloria (Ortiz) Gerena, LCSW, 84, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on May 23, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Albino and Maria (Maldonado) Ortiz. Gloria graduated from Manchester Community College, St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford where she received her Bachelor’s Degree and then earned her Master’s Degree from UConn with a 3.9 GPA. Prior to her retirement, Gloria was employed for 45 years by Catholic Family Charities-Institute for Hispanic Families, where she was a pioneer for social workers, creating programs for deaf children where family members learned sign language, as well as assisting in the development of a forensic interview for children who were sexually abused. She was also a political activist for the Hispanic community and independence for Puerto Rico. Gloria liked walking, reading, and watching sports. She was an avid fan of the New York Giants, New York Mets and New York Knicks. She was a proud grandmother who loved supporting her grandchildren at their sporting events and school activities.

A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Gloria will be forever missed by her four children, Alfred M. Gerena and his wife Yolanda of East Hartford, Frederick M. Gerena of Wethersfield, Victor M. Gerena, Jr. and Lourdes M. Gerena of Hartford; seven adored grandchildren, Natasha, Kristy, Xavier, Gloria I, Briana, Ziahayra and Isaiah and seven cherished great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Luis Ortiz of West Hartford, as well as many extended family members. In addition to her husband and parents, Gloria was sadly predeceased by her beloved son, Roberto “Bobby” A. Gerena.

Funeral service will be Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6 p.m. at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Family and friends may call on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home chapel. A graveside service will be Friday, February 25, 2022 at 12 noon at Silver Lane Cemetery, (Section AA), East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the cemetery on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to Catholic Family Charities-Institute for Hispanic Families, 839-841 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 or the American School for the Deaf, 139 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107. To share a memory of Gloria with her family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.