Obituary of Gloria Jean Panara

Gloria Jean Panara Gloria Jean Panara, 91, of Rome, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2015 at Bethany Gardens. She was born in Rome, NY on February 3, 1924 daughter of the late Patrick and Elizabeth Mercurio Uvanni. Gloria graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1941. Upon graduation from Utica School of Commerce, Gloria went to work for Lerman's Furniture. On September 25, 1948 she married Albert T. Panara in St. John the Baptist Church. Together they enjoyed a blessed union in marriage of 67 years. After raising her family, Gloria returned to work for the Rome City School District and was a dedicated employee for many years until her retirement in 1984. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Women's Auxiliary of Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion and the Columbiettes of the Knights of Columbus. Gloria also volunteered for the Guild at Bethany Gardens. Gloria will be remembered by everyone for her friendly loving ways and love of cooking for friends and family. A highlight of her life was having the family over for Sunday dinner. Gloria was a wonderful writer. Her written expression in her poetry and cards was always very heartfelt. She always said "Speak from your heart", it was apparent that she did just that in both her written and spoken words. Surviving besides her husband Albert, are two sons and a daughter-in-law David (Janet Todd) Panara, Marlton, NJ, Paul and Cynthia Panara, Rome, a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Richard Meiss, Rome, grandchildren; David, Lori, Melissa, Kristen, Thomas, Marc, Jennifer, Matthew and six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers and a sister-in-law, Andrew and Ruth Uvanni, Gerald Uvanni, sisters and brothers-in-law; Adeline and John Holihan, Helen and Louis Denti, Elizabeth "Betty" Uvanni. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made in Gloria's memory to St. John the Baptist Church 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440 or Bethany Gardens Activities Fund, 800 W. Chestnut St., Rome, NY 13440 To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com