GLORIA OGIELA

Gloria (nee Sanchez) Ogiela, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 29, 2018, with family by her side, at home, in Henderson. Gloria was born October 23, 1926, in Flushing, New York, to Robert and Marie Sanchez. Gloria spent several years of her childhood in Colombia, South America as her father built and ran factories for Maizena S.A. Upon returning to the United States, Gloria met Francis “Frank” Ogiela who had recently relocated to New York to make training videos for the U.S. Army, and had taken residence in the Sanchez family boarding house. She married Frank July 24 of that same year. Gloria’s linguistics skills enabled her to work as a translator for the United Nations. While there, she was delighted to meet Mother Teresa. Gloria’s service to others was inspired by Mother Teresa and the idea that, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Gloria’s linguistic skills and compassion led her into teaching literacy classes in the 60’s, and despite the family relocating to Las Vegas in 1965, she continued to teach and touch the lives of many immigrant families. Gloria’s wisdom continued to the kitchen, where her delicious and much loved recipes combined Polish, Italian, Latin and Asian influences from both her family and her literacy students. Her kitchen had only one rule, to “let your tummy decide.Gloria’s cheese biscuits, Christmas stickies, golumpki, pirogies, lemon bars, fudge drop cookies and ice-cream roll not only satisfied our tummies, but the warm memories of the family gatherings, laughter and comfort she so selflessly sought to provide for all in her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Ogiela; son, Tom; parents, Robert and Marie; brother, Frank; and her sister, Betty. Gloria is survived by her brother, Robert Sanchez; three sons, Gregg, Phil and Don, and their spouses; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grand-children. A special thank you to all the caregivers at Sunrise Senior Living. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.