Gloria Kramer

September 13, 2021

Entered into Eternal Rest, Gloria Concetta [DeStefano] Kramer, widow of Richard S. Kramer; loving mother of Attorney Richard Bryan Kramer and his wife, Angela, of Springfield, MA and Edward Stephan Kramer, PhD, and his wife, Paula, of Temecula, CA; cherished grandmother of Matthew L. Kramer of Temecula, CA; and caring aunt of Gregory DeStefano, his wife, Maria Vargas, and their children, all of New York, NY. Gloria was the devoted daughter of the late Ida [Lauria] and Adam DeStefano. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward Carmen DeStefano. Born in October, 1935, Mom was a longtime resident of West Haven, but spent her early years on Cedar Street in “The Hill” neighborhood of New Haven. As with many of the Italian families there, she started her life surrounded by family living nearby and neighbors and friends who would remain in touch, even after the post-War dispersal to the suburbs. As Mom and Dad started their new family, they created a solid team of complementary skills and abilities but there were a few things that they each contributed 1000% together - their self sacrifice for their children, the love which they continuously demonstrated for each other and for us, and their continuous attention to our spiritual, academic and personal development. While Dad was a natural born leader, through example and positioning himself out front, “alongside the troops”; Mom was a natural born teacher. She would lead us to make the “right” decisions through an oddly parental version of the Socratic Method, and was skilled enough in its nuances to provide options, direction and guilt all tied up neat, tidy and pretty. As she began to “write her final chapters” following her move to California, she reactivated important touchstones from her earlier life. She was able to tour the greater San Diego area with her family, visiting meaningful religious sites like the Spanish Mission at San Juan Capistrano, praying at the Basilica there. She enjoyed her first looks at the Pacific Ocean, mountains dwarfing the Berkshires she knew, and the true beauty of the desert. She thoroughly enjoyed her new home at the Linden at Murietta, and the dining staff knew they could seat her with anyone, where she would get everyone participating in conversation and memories. As reserved as she might be in some circumstances, engaging the isolated and lonely was a special ministry for her, developed especially as she would visit with many of the patients at our Grandmother’s health care facility during Gram’s final years. At the Linden, she was discovering her skills as a “peer counselor” among her new friends there. Our solace at this time comes from the knowledge that she first offered her life to God and then gave all of herself to dad and to us to be the best we could be; that she was a patient ear and a good source of advice for friends and relatives; and, for all you NCIS fans, she had confidence in, and truly lived the philosophy of Leroy Jethro Gibbs - “My choice! I wouldn’t have it any other way!” While she has left us, we know she will be joining forever the love of her life, our dad, Richard, as they begin their eternal life together, safely Home with our Loving Father in Heaven. Gloria was an engaging, caring and loving person who was always there for her family and friends. They will carry with them the positive lessons she taught. She will be deeply missed and always in our hearts and prayers.

The West Haven Funeral Home, 662 Savin Avenue, West Haven, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Her sons and their families will be with their mom to gather with family and friends in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Victory Church, 300 Captain Thomas Boulevard, West Haven, CT, on Monday, November 8th, between 9 and 10 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church promptly at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Mausoleum of Saint Lawrence Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Saint Catherine of Siena Church, 1023 Parker Street, Springfield, MA 01129 or CrossPoint Community Church, c/o Missions Fund, 28753 Via Montezuma, Temecula, CA 92590.