Gloria Switlyk

Gloria Fay Switlyk died peacefully January 15, 2026, at the age of 90. Born Gloria Fay Girardi on January 16, 1935, on 31st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in New York City, she was the youngest of ten children. Her parents, Carmela Colpo Girardi and Ferdnando Girardi were immigrants from Conco, Italy.

The first in her family to earn a college degree, she graduated from Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY in 1957. She devoted her professional life to teaching elementary school, teaching in Garnerville, NY, New Milford, NJ, and Dumont, NJ. Long after leaving the classroom, she spoke of her students with deep pride and compassion.

She married the love of her life Stanley (Hank) Switlyk in 1962, two years after he asked her to dance at the Allaire Hotel ballroom in Spring Lake, NJ. According to her, he was an excellent dancer and remembered her number without writing it down. The two moved to Township of Washington, NJ, where they would raise their three beloved children. Hank died Oct 14, 1990.

In addition to her passion for educating children, Gloria served her community as a member of the Contemporary Woman’s Club of Washington Township. She proudly served as president seven times - intermittently between 1980 and 2020 - raising funds for Pascack Valley Hospital, the township library, and scholarships that helped local students pursue their dreams, as well as other worthy causes.

Above all else, Gloria was devoted to her family. She is survived by her children, Gina Switlyk, Dana Rudi (husband, Windber), Andrew Switlyk (wife, Raquel), and Jeffrey Smith - who she considered to be a son - and by her grandchildren, Kyle Smith, Adriana Rudi, Giana Rudi, Connor Smith, Windber Rudi, and James Switlyk. Her grandchildren firmly maintain that she was the best grandmother in the world.

A Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Becker Funeral Home located at 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ, 07675. A Graveside service will take place on Monday, January 19, 2026, 11:30 am at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gloria’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ Stjude.org/Donate