Gloria Camille Moniz

Gloria Camille Moniz was born on July 13, 1926 in Woonsocket, RI at her Auntie Lucy’s house. She was the only daughter and first child of Angela and Alphonse Mancino. They lived in Barrington at the time of her birth, moved to Woonsocket when she was four, then returned to Barrington when she was seven. She excelled early in life beginning first grade at age five with precocious reading and excellent grades. She learned to cook and bake as a child when she was not yet tall enough to stand at the stove. At the age of seven, Gloria did not know her mother, Angela, was expecting twin boys, Alphonse Jr. and Gene. One day in March when Gloria was in third grade, her teacher told her that her mother was too busy to make her lunch, so the teacher shared her lunch. When Gloria went home after school, she found she had two baby brothers.

She concentrated her high school program on business but still studied Latin and French. She was invited to join the Church of the Holy Angels choir at age 11 and taught Sunday School. As a young woman Gloria attended Brown University extension classes in Italian. She also worked in administration at Felch and Company, a well-respected RI jeweler. There she met a lifelong friend, Dorothy Oliver. Dorothy was instrumental in introducing to her the love of her life, handsome World War II veteran Frank Moniz of East Providence. They courted on a motorcycle. After they returned late one night, her father loaned him a watch so he would get her home on time.

Frank and Gloria married on December 26, 1949. They were wed at the Church of the Holy Angels in Barrington. Attending was his niece Susan as flower girl and usher Norman Bergeron. Norman and his wife Teresa were lifelong friends. Big families and lots of love made shared celebrations for all. Annette Seraikas, Alice Minotti and Louise Suriani were also in the wedding party and stayed close well into the 21st century.

Frank graduated law school from Boston College in 1955. Gloria was awarded a PHT degree—Putting Hubby Through—for her steadfast support during those years. By then they had four of their six children, so she definitely earned her degree! The first four children were born in RI. Frank taught after college graduation and during law school. In 1957, Frank joined the USAF as a JAG. The family moved to Washington DC, a location they returned to three times in his career. Gloria joined the choir at Andrews Air Force Base and began her long service to the Officer’s Wives Club. She sang in the choir from 1958-60. She was President and Vice President of the Catholic Women’s group.

Adventure beckoned. Frank and Gloria chose a truly exotic locale for their first overseas assignment—Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Gloria braved intermittent running water and electricity during those years and gave birth to their 5th child there. There Gloria began her role as adjunct diplomat to foreign countries. In the late 20th century, an officer’s career depended on a wife to not only support him but provide social and diplomatic outreach especially in other countries. Gloria bravely explored the beautiful island, made local friends and attended cross cultural events. She enhanced Frank’s career in doing so. She even hosted a Girl Scout overnight in Nipa huts at Subic Bay. After two years living in the tropics, the family moved to Westover AFB in Western Massachusetts where Gloria continued her community activities as well as growing an immense vegetable garden and nurturing a small orchard. Her 6th and last child was born there.

Later overseas assignments included Italy and the Azores where she learned more Italian and then Portuguese, also making friends with citizens of their host countries. Again, she endured intermittent power and water, but remained devoted to her family and community. (This was good practice for power outages in Pensacola during hurricanes!) She continued with the Officer’s Wives Club serving as President in San Vito Italy from 1967-1968. While in Italy, she hosted her parents’ return to their ancestral home. Gloria and Frank took all six children for a camping trip around Italy. While in the Azores, they were visited by Frank’s dear sister Dot and her husband Mack. She was President of the Officer’s Wives Club again at Lajes Field from 1974-75 and again as Parliamentarian at Peterson AFB in Colorado in 1975. She was Treasurer of the Gourmet Club in 1975.

One highlight of her volunteer diplomatic career was an experience with an Italian judge in Bari. An American couple wanted to adopt an Italian child. The judge was against it, apparently having an unfavorable view of Americans. Gloria impressed him with her Italian and her diplomacy. They got acquainted in Italian and learned that their ancestors came from the same small town of Forio in the Island of Ischia. From then on, he called Frank and Gloria “Carissima Cugina” or “dearest cousins” in English. He approved the adoption.

In 1979 Frank and Gloria retired to Pensacola, FL. There they traveled widely visiting 36 countries. Two of these trips included Frank’s dear sister Terry and her husband Bill. Others included their then adult children and grandchildren. Gloria served in the PNAS base choir from 1979 to 2007. She also served as a lay Eucharistic minister from 1979 to 2015. She was active in the ROWC from 1980 to 1990, was a member of the Legion of Mary from 1980 to 2014, and the founder and informal leader of a mahjongg group from 1984 to the present.

Of course, her crowning achievement was as a devoted wife to Frank and loving mother to six children and was married to Frank almost 71 years. She cared for him in his long and difficult final illness, taking him for treatment three times a week or more. She taught her children important life lessons and core values, some of which they actually learned! She was a voracious reader until her final days and remained a faithful Catholic her entire life.

Gloria was predeceased by her husband LTC USAF/Ret. Frank T. Moniz, Sr. and sons Frank T. Moniz, Jr. and Michael J. Moniz. She is survived by her daughter Donna M. Moniz, Esq. of Seattle, WA; son John P. Moniz, Retired Dispatcher for United Airlines (Shey) of Houston, TX; daughter Christine Moniz Barham, D. Phil, Retired English Professor (LTC, USA/Ret. Brian) of Cedar Bluff, AL; son COL, USA/Ret. Stephen P. Moniz, Retired Special Forces Officer (Jennifer) of Fairfax Station, VA; and daughter-in-law Kim Moniz of Winona, MS. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Brooke Barham Parker (MAJ/USA Michael), Bryn C. Barham (Danielle), CPT/USA Bret J. Barham, Blair A. Barham, Camille M. Moniz (Conor), Katherine A. Moniz; and by eleven great grandchildren: Braxton, Levi, Jace, Kylie, Elijah, Blaise, Harleigh, Gabriella, Sylvia, Layla, and Elani.

Donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital preferred in lieu of flowers: https://www.stjude.org/donate

OR St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

A visitation for Gloria will be held Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506. A funeral service will occur Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM at Lady of Loretto Chapel, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL 32508. An interment will occur Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, FL 32508. Family and friends are invited to attend a reception following services from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home.

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