Mrs. Gloria J. (Durante) Santillo

March 18, 1931 - February 16, 2021

UTICA - Gloria J. (Durante) Santillo, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Katherine Luther Residential Health Care & Rehabilitation. Born in Utica on March 18, 1931, Gloria was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rose (Curcio) Durante. She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. At one time, she was married to Joseph Santillo and from that union came the blessing of two children. In her younger years, Gloria worked at Mele Manufacturing. She later held employment as an Assembler at UNIVAC, and lastly she had a job with the Partlow Corporation in New Hartford, the position from which she retired in 1993. Gloria had a great love for her family, and she was always there if needed by her friends and loved ones. She loved to cook, and her antipasto at Christmas was her specialty. She was more like a sister than a mother, and she was a best friend to her children. At a prior time, Gloria was a member of the Moose Lodge, the Clinton Roadrunners, Association of the Meadows, and the St. Rosalie Society. She practiced her Catholic faith as a parishioner of St. Thomas Church in New Hartford. Gloria is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gloria R. and Richard DiBuono; and her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her infant sister, Rose; her son, Joseph; granddaughter, Jodi; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph F. “Cecil” and Rose Durante, Gene Durante, Joseph V. and Mary Durante, and Robert “Bob” and Antoinette “Lalla” Durante. The family is grateful to Deb Brockway and the girls at the Valley Crest unit of the Lutheran Home for their care and compassion. The family will honor and commemorate Gloria’s life at a private time. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Gloria’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday morning, February 24, 2021 at 11:00 at St. Mark’s Church, 440 Keyes Rd., Utica where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. Face masks that cover both your nose and mouth are required and social distancing and contact tracing will be implemented. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. During this time of social distancing that we are all experiencing, please take a moment to connect with Gloria’s family through the “Memories” section of her obituary. Our prayers go out to all as a sign of our continued support.