Obituary of Gloria H Di Girolamo

With the passing of a loved one, it’s hard to fully express your heart felt emotions and to absorb the loss. With a mother, it’s even harder. Gloria H. Di Girolamo passed away on February 1st, 2022 at the age of 96, in a rehabilitation facility after having taken a fall at home a few weeks earlier. She had fought a good battle by working tirelessly through the physical therapy to get home and had made steady progress, so her passing was somewhat sudden and unexpected. She passed away peacefully with family around her.

Born on May 20th, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA to Camilo and Filomena Guaglione. She was blessed with a wonderful husband Alfred V. Di Girolamo, who pre-deceased her, and is survived by five children; Kenneth M. Di Girolamo, Martin V. (wife Kelly), Gina A., Michael J., John T. and two grandsons Michael R. and John Christopher Di Girolamo. She is also survived by her sister in-law Gloria Loffredo and brother in-law Dr. Rudolph Di Girolamo, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was a dietician and graduated from Immaculata College in 1947, and had a career before marriage, which was well ahead of her time, working in both Philadelphia and New York City, running food and kitchen operations at large hotels and hospitals. As the daughter of Italian immigrants, she was the first to graduate from college.

In 1955, she married her college sweetheart Alfred, whom she met through her college roommate, Alfred’s sister, Gloria Di Girolamo Loffredo. In 1958, they moved to sunny St Petersburg, FL to open a pharmacy and raise a family.

In the traditional Italian family, the mother is at the center. For her, her family was the center. At almost 97, she had a great life, traveled extensively, had regularly done volunteer work, was devoutly religious and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Parrish. She had a passion for cooking, gardening, opera, reading, all things Italian and the Florida Gators. As she recently said, she had no regrets. She lived her best life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The St. Petersburg Free Clinic and The Society of St. Vincent DePaul. To view Gloria's service, you can click here