Gloria Marie Albino's Obituary
Gloria Marie Albino,102, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother,
great grandmother, aunt, and dear friend, passed peacefully into her eternal rest at home on February 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Gloria loved her family with a fierce, unconditional, and self-sacrificing devotion that will endure forever.
Gloria is predeceased by her mother and father, Elizabeth and Joseph Cannistra; brothers Joseph, Carl, and Albert Cannistra; husband William Albino (1979); and son William Albino (2022). Gloria is survived by three daughters, Gloria Anne Albino, Lorraine Albino-Hinkley, and Christine Swiersz; devoted son-in-law Tom Swiersz; nine grandchildren, Barbara Gatewood, Marc Albino, Amanda Albino, Leo Hinkley, Mia McMichael, Jay McMichael, Sarah Swiersz, Lizzie Swiersz, and Annelisa Swiersz; and twelve great grandchildren. Gloria adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, considering them to be the loves of her life. A special thank you to Cari Becker, Christine Swiersz, and Sarah Swiersz, Gloria’s caregivers, who provided such loving care to Gloria throughout her final years.
Gloria was born on July 31,1923, in Brooklyn, New York, the third of four children. Gloria’s father, Joseph, was a local pharmacist in Brooklyn. He owned two drug stores, registered several patents on medications he formulated, and was known as the neighborhood “doctor.” He loved Gloria dearly and spent time bringing her to operas and to visit friends, teaching her to enjoy the many wonders of living in the center of New York City until his death when she was 11 years old. Following Joseph’s death, Gloria’s mother, Elizabeth, went to work as a master seamstress of children’s clothing to support the family during the Great Depression and WWII. Gloria helped raise her brothers while graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School as the Class President and Valedictorian. In her teen years, Gloria’s highlights were playing volleyball, going to the cinema, and visiting Coney Island with her cousins and neighborhood friend Bill. After graduating, she attended college in the evening while working full-time as a dental assistant for an oral surgeon and pioneering orthodontist in New York City. She had a special interest in Shakespeare’s works and aspired to become a home economist to reform nutrition in war hospitals.
After dating since they were fifteen years old, Gloria married her beloved Bill on Halloween in 1944, while he was on a short break from his service as a Marine in WWII. They were married for 34 years. Following Bill’s military service, they settled in Brooklyn and Northport, New York, where Gloria was a homemaker, bookkeeper, and helped start a business, the Roaring ‘20s. Gloria also organized extensive cross-country road trips for her family, including through Mexico. Gloria and Bill moved to Fort Myers Beach in 1971. Gloria resided on Fort Myers Beach for 54 years.
Gloria adored her “Funky Beach” and spent many an afternoon walking to the Post Office, reading the Bible and world history at the Library, collecting shells, and doing her water aerobics routine in the pool at her condo. Her routine was 75 minutes long, energized by her upbeat music and interesting conversations with her wonderful Gulf West Wind neighbors. While Gloria always had a list of things she wanted to accomplish, she always prioritized giving to her children and grandchildren. She helped raise the children in her family well into her 90s, teaching them to enjoy cooking, eat nutritiously, study hard, play in nature, and be creative. She loved fostering joy and curiosity in children as a life-long learner and educator.
Gloria was gregarious, fun-loving, and adventurous. She loved to travel and went on many trips around the world with each of her two oldest daughters. She extensively researched where she was travelling to and happily shared about her adventures upon return. She loved going out to dance and attending parties with her daughter Lorraine and late boyfriend Bob Harvey. Every day, Gloria was extremely proud of her beautiful family and community of friends and neighbors, whom she loved so dearly.
There are no words to adequately express how deeply Gloria loved and was loved. None of us will forget her smile of sunshine, graceful style, generous and fun spirit, unwavering resilience, deep faith, and kind compassion. Gloria embodied the full joy of living. New acquaintances and long-time friends alike often described her as warm, radiant, effervescent, glorious.
Family and friends are invited to a viewing and funeral Mass; please contact Christine Swiersz for details (239-699-7909). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a scholarship fund in honor of Gloria; please contact Sarah Swiersz for details ([email protected]).
What’s your fondest memory of Gloria?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gloria?
Share a story where Gloria's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gloria you’ll never forget.
How did Gloria make you smile?
