Submitted by: Dan Rich

Gloria Muia

Nov. 9, 1938 - Jan. 16, 2008

South Bend Tribune 1/19/2008
SOUTH BEND - Gloria Muia, 69, of St. Louis, MO passed away at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, in the home of her sister and brother-in-law after a 10-year battle with cancer.

Gloria was born on November 9, 1938, in South Bend, IN to Joseph and Rose (Sgambelluri/Kambol) Muia. She was preceded in death by her parents. Gloria graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1956 and from St. Mary's College in 1960. Afterward, she worked as a legal secretary for Warren McGill in South Bend. In 1969, she moved to St. Louis, MO, where she worked at Deaconess Hospital, and later in the insurance industry and for Maritz, Inc., as a computer programmer.

She retired in 1997, and enjoyed international travel, painting, golfing, hiking, nature conservation, playing table games with her friends, playing the piano, volunteering at the Butterfly House, gardening and other outdoor activities. Gloria is survived by her brothers, Eugene (Carol) Muia of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Joseph Muia of South Bend; and her sisters, Dolores (Anthony) Sergio of Niles, MI and Patricia (Mike) Druley of South Bend. Her sister, Dolores, however, followed her in death just 28 hours later on January 18, 2008. Gloria was a strong advocate of women's support organizations and was treasurer and past president of WIT (Women in Transition) where she met many of her wonderful friends in St. Louis. She kept close contact with her Forever Friends, classmates and golf buddies in South Bend. Gloria was a loving peacemaker and treasured sister, aunt and friend.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, 2008, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 North Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. The Rosary will be prayed there at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 25 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami St. in South Bend, 46614. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in South Bend, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN or to the Nature Conservancy of Missouri, 2800 S. Brentwood Boulevard Saint Louis, MO 63144.