Obituary of Gloria E. Vazquez-Araujo

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the departure to heaven of our beloved Gloria Vazquez-Araújo, who passed away April 14th 2024 at the age of 83. Miss Gloria Vazquez-Araújo was born to Eva Araújo-Rivera, in San Juan Puerto Rico on Friday November 8th 1940.. She was the first grandchild of Miguel Araújo and Petra Rivera, one of the eldest families from Spanish heritage in San Juan PR. Gloria attended Eugenio Maria de Hostos from Elementary School through High School. From childhood, Gloria found a love for dancing. She specialized in flamenco ballet and classical danza, and she attended classes at "El Teatro Tapia" in Old San Juan. She was also a talented castanet player. She went on to continue her studies at The University of Puerto Rico where she majored in Natural Sciences, and minored in Mathematics. She was a member of their sorority and also sang for the school Chorus. She was blessed with a soprano voice and loved to sing in both Spanish and English. Gloria went on to work as a Biology and Mathematics teacher for the School District of San Juan Puerto Rico. Gloria had the privilege of meeting many influential people of the 20th century, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., when he visited our beautiful island of Puerto Rico, to give a lecture on racial equality. She also participated in many philanthropic events, alongside her friend and baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Gloria coordinated a group that helped collect goods for Cubans seeking exile, as well as Nicaraguans victims of the major earthquake of 1972. She was raised Catholic, and was a devotee of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus, and The Virgin Mary. She was a member of St. John Newman's Church in Philadelphia, and had the blessing and privilege of meeting Pope John Paul II in 1979, when he came to visit. Gloria was engaged 2 times, but was a bachelorette by choice. She was an independent woman ahead of her time who believed in justice and equality, as well as the importance of a well grounded family. Gloria was an animal lover who had many dogs and cats throughout her 83 years of life. She always believed that she would meet with them again in heaven one day. In 1974, she moved to Center City, Philadelphia, where she lived with her family - her mother Eva and her sister Julie. She maintained a close knit relationship with them, and considered Julie her daughter. For 37 years she worked for The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - First, at The Department Of Public Welfare, and then, at The State Office Building on Spring Garden St. She was a member of many organizations, including The Puerto Rican Parade, Spanish Council Of Spanish Service Association, "Asociación Puertorriqueños En Marcha", The Office of The Elderly, Catholic Social Services, and Women's Against Abuse. Gloria retired from Philadelphia to Pennsville, NJ to be with her family Julie, Amaris, Adriel, and Luis Andrade, whom she is survived by. She always considered Adriel and Amaris as her grandchildren, and dedicated her time to their care and after school activities. Gloria's positivism, laughter, and sweetness, will be greatly missed by her family. Gloria's Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday May 25 2024 at 1:00 pm at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Penns Grove, New Jersey. Your loving spirit will always live forever in our hearts "El enjugará toda lágrima de sus ojos, y ya no habrá muerte, ni habrá más duelo, ni clamor, ni dolor, porque las primeras cosas han pasado." Apocalipsi