Glorita P. Maida

Growing up in South Philadelphia as the youngest of 8 children in an Italian family gave Glorita a focus on family, children, education and music. At home, she tried to stay out of the way of her six brothers and learned piano from the oldest sibling, Mathilda. Her secondary school was the Academy of Notre Dame on Rittenhouse Square where she studied harp from Sr. Virginia. After learning all the sister could teach about playing harp, Glorita took additional lessons at Curtis Institute of Music. Her instructor suggested she consider a career in music performance, but that wasn’t the life she envisioned. Instead she earned a BA in Elementary Education and began a 45 year career teaching elementary school.

Glorita was introduced to S. Michael Maida by a friend at a Temple U football game. They sat together and a few years later became husband and wife. Three children came along, bringing great joy to her life, and she put teaching on hold. Michael, Maria and Ginny received early instruction in reading and playing piano or harp at home from Glorita. She carefully watched and guided her children’s academic progress. It would be a rare event if the entire family was not together at the dinner table. Vacations were family affairs, most often at Ocean City NJ. When the children were old enough, she switched from substitute teaching to a full time position at Valley Forge Elementary School where her teaching skills were highly praised by principals, parents and students alike. Her favorite part of the job was passing on the joy of reading to her students. In her classroom, she combined love, creativity and encouragement while demanding a lot of her students, many of whom would visit her years later to thank her for providing them with a firm educational foundation. The family were members of the parish of St. Isaac Jogues from its inception. There Glorita was very active, singing soprano in the church choir, playing harp for special occasions and as a member of the Jolly Jogues senior organization.

Glorita was a very caring person, spending much of her later life caring for her sister Mathilda, daughter Virginia and husband Michael as their health declined. She was happiest socializing with friends and family members, singing, playing the harp or piano, enjoying flowers and wildlife near her Valley Forge home and watching neighborhood children play.

Glorita is predeceased by her parents Joseph and Josephine Porreca, her sister Mathilda Fabrizio, her brothers Rocco, George, Anthony, Mario, Albert and Eugene, her husband (Saverio) Michael Maida and her daughter Virginia Maida. She is survived by her son Michael (Roberta) Maida and her daughter Maria (Joseph) Leviner and Maria's step-son Zachary.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 10:30am from St. Norbert Church in Paoli. Visitation from 9:30-10:30 Saturday morning in the Church. Burial to follow at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society or Academy of Notre Dame.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AllevaFuneralHome.com for the Maida family.