Gloria Frances Szumaski (nee Luciano) of Lavallette, NJ, formerly of Livingston, NJ passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 9, 2024. She was 82 years old and a long-time resident of Livingston and Lavallette NJ. She was born on July 30, 1941 and raised in Livingston. Gloria was the epitome of Italian pride. She hailed from a large and loving family of 12 children and had 33 nieces and nephews where she learned the values of family, tradition, hard work, and resilience from an early age. Gloria carried these lessons with her throughout her life, imparting them on her own family and shaping the legacy she leaves behind.
Gloria’s greatest joy in life and biggest source of pride was her family. After Graduating from Mount St. Dominic Academy, she met her husband John Szumaski at the Jersey Shore. They fell in love, got married and they started their own home in Livingston on a plot of land right next to her family. Gloria was a devoted mother to her four children, Gina Iammatteo, Denise (Joe D'Aries), Maria (Brian Siegel) and Joseph (Penny Szumaski). Her love for her family knew no bounds, and she poured her heart and soul into nurturing and supporting them in every way possible. More than anything, she adored her eight grandchildren, Matthew, Alexa, Joseph, Nicole, Ava, Ella, Emily and Tyler. She took great pleasure in showering them with attention (and presents) and she loved them with all her heart.
In addition to her roles as a mother and grandmother, Gloria was a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating several businesses with her husband John, including a pizzeria, a delicatessen and her beloved beach store, J&J Variety, in Normandy Beach, NJ. Every summer, for more than 60 years, Gloria, John, her children, and various other members of the family ran the store. Working at J&J became a rite of passage for everyone growing up in the Szumaski household, Gloria and her family loved bringing smiles to the thousands of vacationers who visited the iconic establishment every year.
Gloria was renowned for her culinary prowess and her passion for cooking. Her kitchen was a place of warmth, laughter, and delicious aromas, where family and friends gathered to share meals made with love and care. Gloria's recipes will live on as cherished treasures, passed down through generations, a testament to her love and legacy.
She was predeceased by her parents Leonard and Antoinette Luciano, beloved husband John and her sisters Nicolina Luciano, Beatrice Salemme, Dolores Freeman, Lucille Hoerrmann, Theresa Castelli, Patricia O’Brien and her brother Salvatore Luciano. Survived by her siblings Anna Mykietyn, Anthony Luciano, Janet Senft and Leonard Luciano. Gloria is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Gloria's presence will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will be cherished, and her legacy celebrated for generations to come.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Lavallette First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 334 Lavallette, NJ 08735 in Gloria's honor.
The family will receive family and friends at LaMonica Memorial Home 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, on Monday April 15 2024 from 4-8PM. The funeral mass will be Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 11:15 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, East Hanover. The entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ.
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