Gloria Verrochi

Gloria T. Verrochi, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at her home in Manasquan, NJ. She was 95 years old.
She is survived by four daughters, Elizabeth and husband John McDonald, Suzanne Verrochi, Kathryn Verrochi, and Barbara Verrochi; three grandchildren, Will and Miles McDonald and Workneh Verrochi Getasaw; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews.
Born September 20, 1926 in Elizabeth, NJ, Gloria graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth with a B.S. in Home Economics-Retail. She soon joined the rarified world of early television as the on-air personality representing the Elna Sewing Machine Company. She traveled the country on promotional tours and appeared on The Dennis James Show.
Her advertising career continued with the Jordan Marsh Company in Boston. There, while moving into her apartment on Beacon Hill, she met William Verrochi, the man to whom she would be happily married for 61 years, until Bill's death in 2015.
Though a successful career woman in many ways ahead of her time, Gloria also had the soul of a mother; she dedicated her married life to home and family even as she continued to hone her many artistic talents. She painted landscapes and portraits, played the piano, traveled the world collecting objects of beauty, nurtured her perennial gardens, and was an accomplished seamstress – passions that live on in her daughters.
She was also a rather good bridge player, somewhat reluctant golfer, and -- most important to her -- very dedicated volunteer at local hospitals, where she brought her native abundance of gentleness and kindness to caring for sick patients.
Family was of paramount importance to Gloria; the more gathered around the dinner table, the better. Fortunately, family was seldom in short supply, with both her mother and grandmother in residence throughout much of her adult life and her brother Joe and his family next door. Summer evenings were particularly special as everyone gathered outside for dinner as the sun set on the intercoastal.
Gloria was razor-sharp to the end, thanks in part to an odd addiction to MSNBC and The Hallmark Channel and to the watchful eye of her daughter Kathryn. She led a blessed and full life and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Sacred Heart, 751 Main Avenue, Bay Head, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome a donation to Gloria's favorite charity to feed the hungry, Fulfillnj.org. Arrangements are under the care of Orender Family Home for Funerals, Manasquan. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.