Gloria Jean Martorana, née Finnerty, age 67, died surrounded by her family and best friends on July 30, 2021. Gloria suffered a severe brain aneurysm while on vacation with her husband and dear cousins. Gloria was born on July 4, 1954. She loved her birthday and would love for you to think of her whenever you see sparklers and fireworks.
Gloria was a lifelong resident of Hoboken, New Jersey. She was a children’s librarian of the Hoboken Public Library for 23 years. All her patrons knew and loved her, you would find children saying hi to her everywhere she went in Hoboken. At any given time, you could find her in Church Square Park reading to 50 children or decorating cupcakes with children on the third floor. She had unlimited love and patience for all children. Gloria won the NJLA Library Service Award in May 2018 for her dedication and commitment to the library and its patrons. She loved her job and retired in August 2020.
Gloria lived her year of retirement to the fullest, spending weeks upon weeks with her daughters and grandchildren, traveling to Aruba for three weeks with her husband and best friends, and catching up with all her friends. She loved spending summers at the Jersey Shore, and in the days before passed she was with her entire family on the beach in Lavallette. On the last day of her life, she drove to North Carolina with her husband and spent a wonderful evening with her beloved cousins. She was laughing and enjoying life right until her last moments.
Gloria is survived by her loving family. Her husband, Carl Martorana, daughters, Ashley Gambino and Dana Martorana, son-in-law, Salvatore Gambino, brother, Mark Finnerty, and her many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins who adore her. She will be the most greatly missed by the loves of her life, her granddaughters, Gianna, Gemma and Giuliana.
Gloria never said an unkind word about anyone, she loved being around people and living in the moment. She was as kind to strangers, as she was her family. She loved photos and capturing happy memories, she wrote a sweet caption on the back of all her photos. The streets of Hoboken will not be the same without Gloria’s smiling face. May all who loved her keep her memory alive by being patient and kind to all.
A wake is scheduled for Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021, from 4:00-7:00pm at Failla McKnight Memorial Home in Hoboken, New Jersey. Parking available rear of Memorial Home off Sixth Street. A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, August 4th, 2021 at 10:30AM at Our Lady of Grace Church In Hoboken.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the renovation of the new Children’s Department at the Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030 or go to hobokenlibrary.org