

November 26, 2022. She was comforted throughout her care by the compassionate women of
Angelic Hospice Health, and her loving family and friends. Gloria was born in Arecibo, Puerto
Rico in April, 1928, and resided in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut during the course of
her life. She is predeceased by her parents, Julio and Alejandra Rivera, and by her loving
husband, Merritt Crayton. Gloria is survived by her sister, Sylvia Jimenez and brother-in-law,
Lucas; two daughters, Carol Crayton of Galloway, NJ and her partner, Mary Rose Loew;
Suzanne Kardasz and her husband, Fred of Brick, NJ; and son, Wayne Crayton and his wife,
Marian of Anchorage, Alaska; two grandsons, Michael Crayton, and Kurt Leidecker and his
wife, Shanell ; three granddaughters, Christine Garnett and her husband, Felix, Laura Crayton,
and Hannah Crayton; six great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Kole, Krischan, Selena, Summer Rose,
and Jordan; and one great-great grandchild, Cynthia; as well as many nieces, nephews,
cousins, and extended familia.
Many of us will remember Gloria for her generous heart, deep faith, and welcoming spirit.
There was always more than enough food cooking on her kitchen stove and room for many
friends at her kitchen table. Her generosity extended to family, friends, and acquaintances who
needed a good listener and an advocate. She volunteered and did fundraising for many
organizations, including Deborah Hospital, Catholic Charities, and St. Maximilian Kolbe Church
where she served as a Bereavement Group counselor and usher. In addition to serving her
community wherever she lived, Gloria worked tirelessly at balancing her welcomed roles of
wife, mother, grandmother, seamstress, and research technician. She was creative and artistic,
with a great love of music, dancing, gardening, travel, and nature. Gloria was fearless in facing
new challenges and inspired everyone who knew her with a steady dignified determination to
see every project and commitment through to its fruition. Hers was a life that inspired us to live
life to its fullest, with a deep sense of faith, joy, wonder, and celebration.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Rd.,
Toms River, NJ on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A funeral
service at 4:30 pm will conclude our visitation hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Deborah Hospital Foundation,
Browns Mill, NJ.
DONATIONS
Deborah Heart and Lung Foundation212 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, New Jersey 08015
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.18.0