Gloria Maranda

What a blessing to know someone who has loved hard, given abundantly, shared generously, and experienced a life well lived! This is the story of an awesome woman of God!

Gloria Emelda Rock Maranda, 74, was born on October 13, 1941 on the beautiful island of St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. She was born to the parent of Alberta Rock who cherished her and loved her very much. She transitioned from this side of glory on October 28, 2015 at Albany Medical Hospital in Albany, N.Y. due to multiple myeloma.

Gloria grew up between St. Croix and St. Thomas where she spent much of her elementary and junior high school years. She graduated from Christiansted Junior High School in June 1958 and continued on to high school. At the tender age of 18 she left St. Croix and came to New York with her first born in tow and her mother in search of greater opportunities. While in NY, she held various jobs to make a living for her family to include: factory work, fast food, and finally as a home health aide. Dedicated to helping others, as a home health aide she took care of a little girl with cerebral palsy, Lauren, who she quickly came to consider her other daughter. She loved her and cared for her as her own until Lauren departed this earth. Gloria was loved and embraced by Lauren's family – Ed, Sherry, and Brant Schwartz. Gloria then retired and moved to Albany to be with the rest of her family.

Many have come to know Gloria by different names to include "Gloreee", "Miss Glo" "ma", "mommy", "mother dearest", and "grandma". She can be remembered for her "shrimp and rice" that became a staple dish at every family gathering. She even began making the dish to order curry style or yellow rice! She never left home without her mints. You can be sure to tap her in church or anywhere for that matter to get "a piece of mint." To see Gloria was to expect her with her head wrap on at any given family or community gathering having fun and enjoying life. She loved people and embraced friends, acquaintances, and neighbors alike as family. She truly exhibited the love of God! Her favorite sayings were "I leave everything to that man above" and "God is the source and man is the resource." She was a woman who loved the Lord with all of her heart and showed it with her words, her giving and her presence. Even when she ran into health issues, Gloria shared that she was not afraid and that she trusted God. She often shared with the doctors and nurses at routine visits how awesome God is. Whether someone spent a small amount of time in her presence, met her through stories told by her family or knew her long term, to know Gloria is to love her!

Gloria Emelda Rock Maranda was preceded in death by her husband Ezekiel Alfredo Maranda and her daughter Lorna Jane Bates White (Gerald T. White). She is survived by her son James Ezekiel Maranda and daughter Evette Lorrise Maranda Clarke (Carlton W. Clarke); her granddaughters Jatasha Monique White Harris (Frederick L. Harris), Naajiya Shakilah White, Naja Sekai Clarke, Alondra Jalyn Elizabeth Maranda, and her grandson Elijah Carlton Clarke; her great granddaughters Jadyn Amira Harris and Amaiya Brielle Harris; her great grandson Jonathan Peyton Harris, and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends, church family and neighbors.