Gloria U. Rodriguez (nee Gleason) formerly of Audubon
Monday, June 17, 2024
Gloriana U. Rodriguez (nee Gleason), formerly of Audubon, NJ, passed away on June 13, 2024 at the age of 93.
Born 1931 in Newton, NJ and raised in Blairstown, NJ, on Lake Susquehanna, Gloriana was the wife of the late Hector Rodriguez of Camden, NJ, sister of the late Vince Gleason of WI, and daughter of the late Vincent Gleason and Catherine Bunino.
Gloriana was a graduate of Georgian Court College and was a member of the order of The Sisters of Mercy. She taught several grade levels at Mount Saint Mary Academy and directed student musicals and productions there. After leaving the order, Gloriana focused her talents on the field of bilingual education and advocacy, using the Spanish fluency she acquired during her time as a missionary nun in Costa Rica. She finished her career as an administrator in the adult bilingual program at Camden County College, Urban Branch, and The Spanish Center in Milwaukee.
Gloriana was witty and vivacious, open-minded and curious. She believed everyone has a story to tell. She encouraged people to challenge themselves and gently but firmly pushed them beyond what they thought possible. Gloriana was an avid TV watcher of diverse genres, a lover of dogs, a follower of politics, and had zero aptitude for modern technology.
She is survived by her seven nieces and nephews: Karen Gleason, Kevin Gleason, Steven Gleason, Claudia Strehl, James Gleason, Jane Pire and Vince Gleason; her stepdaughters Jessica Rodriguez and Mercedes Rodriguez Vivolo; her beloved friends Julie Cobian, goddaughter, and her husband Edwin (Cuqui) Cobian and her honorary grandchildren Melinda DiStefano, Nicholas Cobian and Arianna Scali; her special friends Peg Dauxerre, Eileen and John Dolan.
Our gratitude to her occupational therapist, Julia Barbour, and her caregiver, Kim Principe, whose care, patience, and good humor made it possible for Gloriana to live life on her terms in her own home as long as possible.
Funeral arrangements are private. Services provided by Foster-Warne Funeral Home, 820 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108