Gloria Jean Mormile Obituary

#Middlebury #Obituary

March 19, 1937 – June 9, 2017: Gloria Jean Mormile, wife of Alfred J. Mormile of Middlebury, met our Heavenly Father and joined her sister, Rose Carley, and parents, Maria Raffela and Michael Nigri, on June 9, 2017. Gloria graduated from Wilby High School in 1955 and Waterbury School of Nursing in 1958. She and Alfred were married in 1960. Gloria got her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hartford and a master’s degree in health care administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute while working full time and raising three children.

Gloria was a brilliant R.N. and hospital administrator who excelled in the field of medicine in various leadership positions at St. Mary’s Hospital. At St. Mary’s, she was quickly promoted to a nursing supervisor position. She then went on to teach nursing at St. Mary’s School of Nursing for 11 years, where she was loved and admired by her nursing students.

After teaching, Gloria took a staff development position at the hospital and advanced to the assistant director of nursing. In this position, she was responsible for writing the first protocol for the Intensive Care and Critical Care Units. Gloria was a pioneer leader in medicine in many ways – she was responsible for teaching the hospital physicians to use the first electrocardiogram machines (EKGs) when this technology emerged in the 1970s. She also helped set up the protocol for St. Mary’s “Heartmobile,” the first cardiac emergency response unit in Connecticut. Gloria led St. Mary’s Hospital through its first Joint Commission Accreditation. In her years close to retirement, she gave wholeheartedly to the special needs children of Waterbury State Street School where she was a school nurse for 10 years.

Gloria leaves three daughters and their spouses, Maria Mormile-Mehler and Brad Mehler of West Hartford, Angela Chagnon and Don Chagnon of Waterbury, and Tracie and George Paiva of Milford; one grandson, John Paul Paiva; and a brother-in-law, Marvin Carley of East Haven. Gloria was a kindhearted woman who loved to help and heal people. As the only nurse in the family, she never hesitated to help an ill family member navigate the complexities of the health care system. She also was a wonderful cook; she loved to make Sunday dinners, especially pasta and lasagna, for her family.

She and her family enjoyed wonderful, fun summer family vacations at the beaches of Milford, Martha’s Vineyard, Rhode Island and West Palm Beach. She and her daughters have fond memories of singing rock songs from the Doors, the Beatles, Mommas and Papas and Credence Clearwater Revival to her and her sister Rose’s accompaniment on the guitar.

She loved her daughters dearly, starting them in dance lessons at ages 5 and 6, something they continued until their 20s. Inspired by this, her daughter Maria, recently went back to dance school again and enjoys performing recitals.

Gloria’s was motivated to keep her daughters heart healthy through cardiovascular exercise and a low fat diet – as much of the early research on preventing cardiovascular disease came out during her daughters’ childhoods. She even took her daughters to see the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at Yale University so they could learn about Transcendental Meditation, a relaxation method that reduces stress connected to heart disease.

Gloria always wanted the best for her daughters, sending them to Catholic high school and never questioning the necessity (and paying for) for college education. She was extremely proud of her daughters’ accomplishments and always told them so. She was a mother, mentor and friend. She made her mark on the world and her family, and we will deeply miss her until we meet again.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Church at 1263 West St. in Middlebury. Those attending are asked to please meet at the church at 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery on Platt Road in Watertown.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 13, 2017, from 5 to 7 pm. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home at 240 N. Main St. in Naugatuck. To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.