Gloria Nelson

Gloria was born on July 20, 1941, and spent her early years in Manhattan, New York, later moving with her parents to Westbury at the age of sixteen. From a young age, she was spirited and fearless. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a police officer, ran up staircases in her skates, jumped double dutch, and never shied away from mischief. That feisty, determined spirit followed her throughout her life. She lived firmly by principle, often saying, “it’s the principle of the thing”, and while she could be sharp-tongued, her compassion, loyalty, and strong sense of fairness were unmistakable. She also made it very clear she wanted nothing to do with bugs.

Gloria began her professional journey at Grumman Data Systems, where she worked as a Senior Computer Operator. She later continued her career with J-H Supply General Contractors as an Accounts Payable Administrator and Inventory Clerk, a position she held while living in New Mexico. Gloria absolutely loved New Mexico, especially its simplicity, and the fact that her home did not have a basement, meaning no more basement flooding, something she was more than happy to leave behind in New York. She considered New Mexico home, and if given the chance, she would have gone back in a heartbeat. After returning to New York, Gloria continued her career at Arkwin Industries as an Accounts Payable Administrator, where she ultimately retired. Known for her sharp attention to detail, she often identified process improvements that saved her company money. She loved to joke about “being rich” while holding the checks at Arkwin, one of many examples of her dry humor and sharp wit. When faced with a challenge, Gloria believed she would “figure it out,” and she almost always did.

She was resilient, spicy, intelligent, protective, and fiercely family-oriented. Gloria loved watching Law & Order, Judge Judy, her soap operas, and classic westerns, especially Walker, Texas Ranger. She enjoyed knitting, going to the gun range, driving fast down the highway, and returning anything she didn’t want. One of her most well-known traits was her respect for time; she was always early, could not stand being late, and firmly believed that “early is on time.” She liked to arrive ahead of schedule so she could settle in and relax before appointments, and she had little patience for delays or when her time was wasted. Above all, she cherished her family. Her strength, honesty, humor, and unwavering presence are what made her who she was to her grandchildren and family alike.

Gloria’s faith was deeply personal and quietly held. Rather than something she often spoke about, it served as a private guiding principle, shaping her values, grounding her decisions, and helping her navigate life with resolve, compassion, and integrity.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Tracey Cruz (2024); her husband Cornelius “Connie” Nelson Sr.; her sister Marguerite “Peggy” Harris; her brother Earl McNeil; and her parents, Ethel “Mother” McNeil and William “Daddy” McNeil.

She is survived by her family: her daughter Macey Durant; her stepdaughter Brenda Nelson; her nieces Dawn Harris, whom she loved and treated as a daughter, and Nicolette “Nicci” McNiel; her son-in-law Samuel R. Cruz Sr.; her grandchildren Christina M. Alliance (Andrew), Samuel R. Cruz Jr. (Helena), and Jacob Cruz (Laneya); her grandnephew Michael Farriella; her great-grandchildren Deianira Alliance, Samuel R. Cruz III, Malachi J. Cruz, Nathan Johnson, and Alexander Johnson; and a host of extended family and friends whom she deeply adored.

The family would especially like to acknowledge Gladys Stallings, her best friend of over 50 years, and Roosevelt “Rosie” Anderson, Darryl Grice, and Jean Ohlrich, whose friendship, love, and selfless care were a true blessing to Gloria, especially in her later years.

Gloria Nelson will be remembered for her strength, her spirit, her sharp wit, her respect for time, her unwavering love, and for the lasting impact she made on everyone fortunate enough to know her.