Obituary for Gloria M. Stefanelli
Gloria M. Stefanelli, 94 of Belleville, passed away on Tuesday March 30, 2021 at her home. Born and raised in Newark, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Restaino) Perna. Gloria moved to Belleville when she married her husband in 1950. They built a home together on Carmer Avenue and raised their family there.
Gloria worked for A.T. & T. as a telephone operator straight out of high school until her first child was born returning to the company in 1970 and retiring some 20 years later as a supervisor. She was a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers, a national service organization for telephone company employees and retirees.
in her younger years Gloria enjoyed roller skating, which was how she met her husband. As the years went by, they switched from dancing on skates to ballroom dancing where they made many friends. Gloria was an avid bowler, participating in both ladies’ leagues, and mixed leagues with her husband. She also was a volunteer at the Papermill Playhouse in Milburn, NJ. Besides being a good cook, Gloria was a talented cake decorator who produced numerous custom-designed cakes for birthdays and other occasions for family and friends.
Gloria was predeceased by her beloved husband, Louis Stefanelli. She is survived by her loving children, Maria E. Stefanelli, Louis M. Stefanelli, John J. Stefanelli and Anthony M. Stefanelli. She also leaves her granddaughters, Gianna and Daniela, her sisters, Ethel Baer and Jeanne Briggs and in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitors will be received at the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St. Nutley on Monday, April 5 from 6-9 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Nutley on Tuesday at 10:30 am followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Gloria worked for A.T. & T. as a telephone operator straight out of high school until her first child was born returning to the company in 1970 and retiring some 20 years later as a supervisor. She was a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers, a national service organization for telephone company employees and retirees.
in her younger years Gloria enjoyed roller skating, which was how she met her husband. As the years went by, they switched from dancing on skates to ballroom dancing where they made many friends. Gloria was an avid bowler, participating in both ladies’ leagues, and mixed leagues with her husband. She also was a volunteer at the Papermill Playhouse in Milburn, NJ. Besides being a good cook, Gloria was a talented cake decorator who produced numerous custom-designed cakes for birthdays and other occasions for family and friends.
Gloria was predeceased by her beloved husband, Louis Stefanelli. She is survived by her loving children, Maria E. Stefanelli, Louis M. Stefanelli, John J. Stefanelli and Anthony M. Stefanelli. She also leaves her granddaughters, Gianna and Daniela, her sisters, Ethel Baer and Jeanne Briggs and in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitors will be received at the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St. Nutley on Monday, April 5 from 6-9 pm.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Nutley on Tuesday at 10:30 am followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery in Bloomfield.