Gloria DeSantis Esposito, 82, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc. She was a resident of Monessen for most of her life before moving to The Residence at Hilltop in Monongahela. Gloria will be most remembered as the "Monessen School Nurse." She was born in Monessen on August 19, 1927, the daughter of the late Achille and Serafina (Mormino) DeSantis. She was a 1945 graduate of Monessen High School, a graduate of the McKeesport School of Nursing, and attended the University of Pittsburgh where she attained her school nurses certification. While in training as a nurse during WWII, she was a member of the Army Cadet Nurse Corps. Early in her career, she worked at the former Charleroi-Monessen Hospital, and then for the City of Monessen School District as the district nurse for over 40 years. Gloria served as head coach for the Monessen Cheerleading Squad for many years. She was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord R. C. Church and its choir. She was also a member of the Italian-American Heritage Society, Mon Valley Nurses Association, and the Retired Monessen Teachers Organization. Gloria will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, and for her warm personality and caring demeanor.She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Serafina and Charles Lobsenz of Reston, VA, Maria and Thomas Smith of Downington, PA, a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Robert Hahne of Monessen, four granddaughters, Haley and Samantha Lobsenz, Nina and Kelly Smith, and by eight nieces and nephews, Robert (Susan) Hahne of Potomac, MD, Kelly (Amy) Hahne of West Simsbury, CT, Kirsten Hahne of Pittsburgh, PA, Tomas (Carol) Tredici MD of Temple, TX, Mia Tredici (Paul) Nieman, Austin, TX, Lucia Tredici MD and Jim Conley, Phoenix, AZ, Julia DeSantis of Alpharetta, GA, and Perry DeSantis of West Palm Beach, FL.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Marino J. Esposito, a sister, Margaret Tredici, and a brother, Arthur DeSantis.Friends will be received on Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and on Thursday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in the Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Avenue Monessen (724-684-8750).Services will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2010, beginning with a 11:30 Blessing in the funeral home, followed by a 12 noon Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord R. C. Church. Entombment will follow in Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum, Monessen. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Mon Valley Nurses Association, 139 Ruth Place, Belle Vernon, PA 15012. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
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