Gloria “Glo” Christianne Mary Sdao, a bright light in so many lives, passed away at home in Oakville ON, surrounded by her loving husband Larry and dear children Heather and Christopher, on November 18th at the age of 56.
Gloria was a woman of many gifts and talents. She approached her passions with remarkable energy and focus. Those who knew Gloria were often astonished at her involvement in so many activities, often wondering whether she had more hours in her day than the rest of us did in ours!
Gloria grew up in various small towns in Northwestern Ontario, eventually moving to Thunder Bay to attend high school and later university.
It did not take long for a young Larry to fall in love with Gloria one fateful summer playing mixed baseball in Thunder Bay. Gloria had the magical ability to make people feel special through her beautiful smile. Their relationship deepened through letters and phone calls as they completed their university degrees in different cities. During this year of long distance dating, Gloria was inducted into the Sdao family by Larry’s mom, Liza. That year, the Thursday night t-bone steak dinners at Liza’s house set the stage for a relationship that would flourish and become fundamental to them both. In the years to come, Gloria learned family recipes at Mona’s side, discovering that (as Heather observed) one didn’t have to be born Italian, to be Italian. Gloria did have a head start though, as French was her only language until grade four.
Gloria and Larry married in 1992 and never looked back. Their relationship was one of respect and trust. They were deeply entwined at their cores, always moving forward as a team, regardless of the obstacles they encountered. Together Gloria and Larry joyfully raised Heather and Christopher. As Gloria was a person in constant forward motion, she was an engaging Mom for their children. Heather and Christopher were introduced to a myriad of activities – ballet, piano, violin, hockey, basketball, robotics and swimming. Together, the family became a fearsome foursome at Rattlesnake golf course. You name it, Gloria signed up the kids… even Charlie and Archie, the family goldendoodles, took classes!
Gloria was positively influenced by teachers who supported her in her dream of attending university and to become a teacher. Gloria completed a BA in Science, a BA in Education at Lakehead University in 1989 and an MA in Education in 1998 at York University. Gloria was an enthusiastic, compassionate and engaging teacher. She had a relentless belief in a student’s potential, dedicating hours of tutoring outside of class time to support their learning. Gloria also believed in the importance of sports and extracurricular activities to enhance academic achievement and personal growth. She volunteered to support these activities wherever she was needed. Recently Gloria was delighted to have been able to pass on boxes and boxes of her “treasure trove of teaching” to a young teacher whom she had mentored. Being a teacher was a great source of pride and fulfillment for Gloria, a career lasting thirty years, finishing at Holy Trinity High School from which her children graduated.
In addition, teaching introduced her to five young women who were also teachers and would become among her dearest friends. Gloria, Liz Quinton, Barbara Anne Ingratta, Maureen Keenan, Maureen McKeough and Anne Barbetta became The Spirit Sisters.They grew together as teachers and friends, sharing the love, joy and sadness in their lives for over thirty years.
The lens of a camera was often Gloria’s view of the world, taking her on photography excursions to Ireland, Iceland and just this past May, to Greenland. She was at home in the wide open spaces of nature and took great joy in capturing her own perspective of this beauty and sharing these images with friends and family. Gloria earned a certificate in Photography at Sheridan College. Gloria loved travel in general and was the family travel agent, always having the next trip, complete with itineraries, in the can! She was known to begin an adventure with “only the best” , a shot of Patrón with those along for the fun. There were many noteworthy adventures over the years, but the visits to Grimaldi, Italy to visit Larry’s relatives were close to her heart… and camera lens.
Gloria had a love of sports and certainly was a natural athlete. She excelled in a variety of sports throughout her life. She took up hockey in her late 40’s, becoming a valuable team player. However, soccer was Gloria’s sport. She became an elite Master’s Soccer player, being a member of the team that brought home a bronze medal in the Sydney, Australia tournament of 2009 and participated in the World Masters in Turin, Italy in 2013.
A woman of deep Roman Catholic faith, Gloria served as a Eucharistic Minister at Mary Mother of God, the family parish. The church was a place of solace and quiet reflection for Gloria, for many years.
Gloria is now reunited with Spirit Sisters Anne and Barbara-Ann, dear friend Caroline, cherished mother in law Liza and beloved nephew Paradon. Left to honour her memory and continue traveling is Gloria’s soulmate Larry, along with dearest children Heather and Christopher, parents Reanne and Felix Mallette, brother Dan Mallette and his wife Candis and Larry’s siblings and their families. Gloria’s spirit lives on through Spirit Sisters Lizzie, Keener and Moe, dearest friends Teresa Fanelli, Mary Brozic-Hospital, Suzie Bascello and Rose Van Straalen and the many other friends she made in this life’s journey. Gloria’s family hopes that some of the students she had the honour of teaching benefitted from her efforts and might honour her by extending a helping hand to another young person.
We will all miss her boundless energy and determination. Gloria had no rear-view mirror, her perspective was always to the future.
Larry, Heather and Christopher are forever grateful for the generosity of the many friends and neighbours who made their love visible with delicious food, beautiful flowers, cards having heartfelt sentiments and comforting visits, texts and phone calls. Your thoughtfulness will stay with us.
A special thank you to Ron MacLean for honouring Gloria in such a meaningful way.
youtu.be/m_2Of35vm7k
Memorial Visitation Oakville:
Glen Oaks Funeral Home, 3164 Ninth Line, Oakville, ON, L6H 7A8
Thursday November 24th, 2022 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Food and Friendship will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Memorial Visitation Thunder Bay:
Sargent and Son Funeral Chapel, 21 North Court Street, Thunder Bay, ON, P7A 4T4
www.sargentandson.com
Monday November 28th, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Services:
St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Tuesday November 29th at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini.
Those unable to attend the Mass in person may do via livestream at www.youtube.com/channel/UC6xwjojC5r8j-7H3uPQAnUA/videos?view=2&sort=dd&live_view=503&shelf_id=0
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to www.haltonlearningfoundation.ca or www.prokidsthunderbay.ca
Read Less
To send flowers to the family of Gloria Christianne Mary “Glo” Sdao, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gloria Christianne Mary Glo Sdao Friday November 18th 2022..
sargent and son funeral directors
Death notice for the town of: THUNDER-BAY, Province: Ontario