Gloria Conway

Gloria Jeanette Conway (née Day) devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, family matriarch and devout Catholic, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna, DE. She was 86 years old.

Born January 19, 1936, in Victoria, Texas the middle child of three children of James and Irma Ward. Shortly after her birth, Gloria and her family moved to Galveston, Texas where she was raised with her younger sister, Jeanette and older brother, Henry.

Lovingly known as Baby Day, she attended elementary school in Galveston, TX and later attended and graduated from Ball High School. Following her graduation from high school, Gloria attended post-secondary education at Tennessee State University with the goal of pursuing a career in nursing. During her sophomore year of college in 1954, Gloria met the handsome, intelligent, and charming Edwin P. Conway, who was serving in the Air Force at that time. The couple was joined in holy matrimony in Philadelphia, PA in 1957. Their union was blessed with six children- Sandra, Edwin Jr., Gloria, Virgil, and twin boys, Miguel and Andre.

Gloria’s first love was her family! Her life orbited around her children, and as they grew up and had families of their own, her love expanded to include her fourteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

When not dedicating time with her family, Gloria enjoyed spending time with her closest friends, and savoring food especially her favorite seafood and southern delicacies. A friendly and compassionate woman, Gloria was always pleasant and invited all into her life. Sociable and warm, she welcomed every opportunity to help others, even strangers. She spent countless hours listening to music and reveled in the sweet and soulful vocals of Luther Vandross.

As a child Gloria was raised as a devote Roman Catholic. After moving to Philadelphia, she joined the St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church in 1970 and sent her children to the St. Raymond of Penafort School for elementary school. She was an active member in the church, and regularly volunteered for and participated in school fundraisers and other community service events. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Gloria worked as a caretaker and served as a volunteer for the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de Ricci in Elkins Park, PA. She worked tirelessly to support her family and devoted her life to the service of others working in nursing and community service programs serving the elderly and infirmed.

A zealous and loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Gloria would seldom miss a game. Later in life, she became an avid Notre Dame fan, and acquired a substantial memorabilia collection of Notre Dame attire.

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