Gloria Ann Adame Lawlor
July 1, 1948 - August 23, 2022
Gloria Ann Adame Lawlor, after fighting esophageal cancer for 5 years, passed away peacefully at South Shore Hospital, Weymouth, Massachusetts on August 23, 2022, at the age of 74. At her bedside were her husband of 52 years, Thomas Kevin Lawlor, her sons Kevin and Robert, and her emotional support dog Yoki. Gloria was a real fighter and role model for many people in Massachusetts, New York and Florida. Regardless of her pain, she always had a smile on her face and never complained. She was a humble person who loved people and had the ability to connect with everyone and provide emotional support. Gloria loved and was devoted to her husband and two boys, often putting their interests ahead of hers. She adored her grandchildren Naia and Gavin. She was an artist, teacher, Army wife, and, especially, dedicated mother and wife. She was a runner, golfer and tennis player, and learned to ski and play touch football just to be with her kids.
Gloria Ann Adame was born on July 1, 1948 in Fresno, California, the second of 5 girls. Her father was Robert Adame, a lumberjack who died very young. Her mother was Armida (Cardenes) Adame Moreno, who preceded Gloria in death by only 3 weeks, on July 31, 2022. As Gloria could no longer travel, she wrote a moving eulogy that was read at her mother’s funeral in Fresno. Gloria’s youth was in poverty, but with a very supportive extended family, led by her Abuelita (Grandmother) who raised 7 children of her own and 5 others who were orphaned. Gloria worked her way through college, graduating in June 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fresno State University.
Gloria met her husband on a blind date in 1968 and married him on June 4, 1970, at the Catholic Chapel at West Point, the day after her husband’s graduation. She lived many places due to her husband’s Army and then Pfizer careers, including Ft. Benning, GA, Arlington, VA, Nuremberg, Germany, where her son Kevin was born, Ft. Belvoir, VA, Pacific Grove, CA, where her second son Robert was born, San Jose, CA, Williamstown, MA, Centerport, NY, New Smyrna Beach, FL. and Plymouth, MA. In Germany she taught at the American School until Kevin was born. She didn’t teach again, focusing on raising her two sons until they were in high school. To stay close to them, she then resumed teaching at their high school and was considered by many as their favorite teacher. When both sons went to college, she retired from teaching so she could spend more time and travel with her husband. Together they traveled extensively through Europe, Jordan and Israel, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Japan and Puerto Rico. A great cook, she helped form a 6-couple gourmet group in Long Island that have been eating and cruising together for 40 years, with no couple divorcing. Food must have been great!
Gloria had a profound religious faith, accepting her illnesses courageously and without complaint. She was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Gloria was a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Long Island. She lived that faith every day of her life, reaching out to anyone in need.
Gloria is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas Kevin Lawlor, her sons T. Kevin Lawlor Jr. of Denver and Robert Fenton Lawlor of Boston, Grandchildren Naia and Gavin Lawlor, and her sisters Cynthia, Theresa, Roberta and Lorrie.
Gloria impacted people everywhere, but especially in Massachusetts, Long Island and Florida. Consequently, a Mass will be said for her at St Bonaventure Catholic Church in Manomet, MA on Monday, September 12. A Mass will also be said for her at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, NY in late September. Her husband will then accompany her ashes to her home in New Smyrna Beach, FL for a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church followed by burial in October. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, who treated her cancer, ALS, Advent Health Hospital in New Smyrna Beach, or to an animal shelter, as she loved animals.
Gloria Ann Adame was born on July 1, 1948 in Fresno, California, the second of 5 girls. Her father was Robert Adame, a lumberjack who died very young. Her mother was Armida (Cardenes) Adame Moreno, who preceded Gloria in death by only 3 weeks, on July 31, 2022. As Gloria could no longer travel, she wrote a moving eulogy that was read at her mother’s funeral in Fresno. Gloria’s youth was in poverty, but with a very supportive extended family, led by her Abuelita (Grandmother) who raised 7 children of her own and 5 others who were orphaned. Gloria worked her way through college, graduating in June 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fresno State University.
Gloria met her husband on a blind date in 1968 and married him on June 4, 1970, at the Catholic Chapel at West Point, the day after her husband’s graduation. She lived many places due to her husband’s Army and then Pfizer careers, including Ft. Benning, GA, Arlington, VA, Nuremberg, Germany, where her son Kevin was born, Ft. Belvoir, VA, Pacific Grove, CA, where her second son Robert was born, San Jose, CA, Williamstown, MA, Centerport, NY, New Smyrna Beach, FL. and Plymouth, MA. In Germany she taught at the American School until Kevin was born. She didn’t teach again, focusing on raising her two sons until they were in high school. To stay close to them, she then resumed teaching at their high school and was considered by many as their favorite teacher. When both sons went to college, she retired from teaching so she could spend more time and travel with her husband. Together they traveled extensively through Europe, Jordan and Israel, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Japan and Puerto Rico. A great cook, she helped form a 6-couple gourmet group in Long Island that have been eating and cruising together for 40 years, with no couple divorcing. Food must have been great!
Gloria had a profound religious faith, accepting her illnesses courageously and without complaint. She was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Gloria was a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Long Island. She lived that faith every day of her life, reaching out to anyone in need.
Gloria is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas Kevin Lawlor, her sons T. Kevin Lawlor Jr. of Denver and Robert Fenton Lawlor of Boston, Grandchildren Naia and Gavin Lawlor, and her sisters Cynthia, Theresa, Roberta and Lorrie.
Gloria impacted people everywhere, but especially in Massachusetts, Long Island and Florida. Consequently, a Mass will be said for her at St Bonaventure Catholic Church in Manomet, MA on Monday, September 12. A Mass will also be said for her at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, NY in late September. Her husband will then accompany her ashes to her home in New Smyrna Beach, FL for a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church followed by burial in October. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, who treated her cancer, ALS, Advent Health Hospital in New Smyrna Beach, or to an animal shelter, as she loved animals.
