Gloria Ida Mercuri

1924 - 2024

Gloria Ida Mercuri
Gloria Ida Mercuri, a lifelong resident of Meriden, Connecticut, passed away August 31, 2024. She was born March 12, 1924, the first American-born child of Pasquale Mercuri and Immaculata Tavernese Mercuri who immigrated from Grotteria, Calabria, Italy.
From an early age, she was active in the Italian (Grace) Baptist Church as a trustee, educator, and 60-year member of the choir. She studied both the Bible and Italian language at the church. She later joined Bethany Covenant Church, Berlin, CT.
After her high school graduation, she worked at the International Silver Company until 1981. She was the co-founder of Golden Leaf Florist, Wallingford, CT. Following retirement, she cared for her mother, and babysat nieces and nephews to whom she sang the tune of Lehar's "Merry Widow Waltz."
"Auntie Gloria" was the family matriarch. To her, "la famiglia é il tesoro piu grande." She served as the repository of family history and she kept close contact with family members in the U.S, Italy, and Australia. She was also a master gardener. A new pink and white peony, "Gloria's Angel," was bred by Cricket Hill Garden in honor of her 90th birthday; it is listed in the National Gardening Association database. She enjoyed traveling to Europe, North Africa, Latin America, and across the U.S.A., documenting her adventures with her 16mm movie camera. In the early 1950s, she went to California via Route 66; in the 1960s, she visited her parents' hometown; her last long trip was to Mexico in 2009. She loved musical events and restaurant dining. A cherished memory is her taking eight nieces out to dinner in Hartford, February 24, 2017, a cold evening warmed by her laughter. Moreover, she was a fan of the University of Connecticut Women's Basketball, attended four of their Final-Fours and many in-state games, including one at Gampel Pavilion as part of her 90th birthday celebration.
Gloria was the beloved sister of Joseph S. Mercuri of Meriden, CT, and Robert A. Mercuri of Wallingford, CT, and dear aunt to ten nieces and nephews and 31 great and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by infant sister, Rosina, sisters Rose Tomassetti and Helen D'Angelo, and sisters-in-law Alice Mercuri, Marilyn Mercuri, and Jean Mercuri.
The family extends much appreciation to her brother, Robert, and the nieces and nephew who managed her care, her home healthcare aides, and the support provided by first cousins Faith Flugrad and Rosemarie Santosuosso, friend Nancy Parisi, and many other family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held September 21, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill Street, East Berlin, CT. Donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 ( https://samaritanspurse.org ).