Gloria Zoda

Gloria Zoda, 90, of Kingston, NY, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Golden Hill Nursing & Rehab Center in Kingston, NY. She was born on April 10, 1932, in Kingston, daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine (Orefice) Zoda.

Gloria was a graduate of Kingston High School. She also attended the Kingston School of Practical Nursing and was part of the first graduating class. She continued to serve others as an LPN at Benedictine Hospital for over 20 years. After retirement she cared for her mother, and 4 sisters.

Our Aunt Gloria had many interests and talents, far too many to list. She was an artist who enjoyed painting pictures and ceramics. She found pleasure in nature, whether it was watching the birds, tending the garden, or sitting by her backyard pond. She was an avid coin collector and liked to read. Above all, her passion was cooking. She was always in the kitchen cooking something delightful. We all looked forward to the holidays for her date nut bread at Christmas as well as her Easter bread and other treats. She made the best chicken and eggplant parmesan served with her freshly baked Italian bread. This was one of the family favorites. She always cooked enough to feed an army and you never left hungry after a visit.

During her time at Golden Hill, she loved doing crafts, playing Bingo, and attending their entertainment as she aways enjoyed music. She'd get excited about Happy Hour looking forward to her glass of fake beer. The family would like to extend thanks to the staff at Golden Hill, especially Unit A3, for the care and compassion they provided.

Gloria is survived by her nieces and nephews, Carmine Joseph DeFalco, Diane (James) Fisher and their children, Zachary, James, and Dana, Gloria DeFalco-Hamilton, Maryann (Robert Krieger) Donaldson and her sons Ian and Cullen, Michael DeFalco, Jude (Jennifer Sperath) DeFalco and his children Gianna, Nicholas, and Zayn, her beloved cat, Smokey, as well as many other great nieces, and great nephews. She was the matriarch to our families and will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her sisters, Dominica Zoda, Rose Buzzanco, Bertha Gilbert, Theresa DeFalco, Mary Zoda, Ann Zoda, and Helen Ellsworth. Gloria was the last of her siblings to go home to the Lord, she is now reunited with her family.

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, where family and friends may visit on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 3pm to 6pm. The funeral service will take place at the funeral home at 10am on Friday, March 10, 2023, with Fr. Louis Yaya, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Kingston. Please wear a face covering to the services.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Gloria's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.StJude.org A tribute for Gloria can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family.