Gloria Sacco Morra, formally of Manasquan, Spring Lake and Cedar Village, Brick passed away at her home in North Carolina.
She was a devout Catholic and for many years a daily communicant at St. Denis Church in Manasquan, NJ. She also was a parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in North Carolina.
Her parents sang in the Church Choir at St. Denis, so at the young ages of 7 and 5, Gloria and her sister Louise went with them to Choir Practices. The love of music was always a part of their live and Gloria was an organist and soloist at St. Denis Church for over 50 years.
Among her early musical accomplishments were her many appearances and performances in musical programs in the Shore area –particularly as a guest soloist, singing in the Shoreham Hotel, Spring Lake in their Sunday evening concerts. She had the leading role in the Jerome Kern musical “Raberta” which was sponsored by the Brielle PTA and the Teachers’ Association to benefit their Scholarship Fund. At the famous Monmouth Hotel in Spring Lake, The Court St. Denis Catholic Daughters of America featured the lyric Soprano in a recital which benefited their Scholarship Fund. As a member of the Monmouth Civic Chorus, Red Bank, she sang in their Oratorios, the Gilbert Sullivan Operettas and was heard on local radio. While a member of the Manasquan and Avon Jr. Women’s Clubs, she won recognition in the State Drama Tournaments. She was an active member of both the Manasquan Elementary and High Schools Parent Teachers Associations, a Class Mother, and a Den Mother for her sons Cub Scout Troop.
Gloria earned a B.S. Degree in Voice, Piano, and Music Education from Ithaca College of Fine Arts, N.Y. (Now Ithaca University.) At Ithaca she was inducted into Sigma Alpha Iota National Honorary Sorority, she was a soloist in the selected college Choir which toured N.Y. State, gave recitals and was in many musical productions. Upon graduation from Ithaca Gloria taught music in the Wharton Bradly Beach and Little Silver School Systems. She loved teaching and was always delighted to hear from many students about what they learned in their music classes and the part music played in their lives.
In her later years, while living in the Adult Community, Cedar Village in Brick, Gloria joined the Red Hats where there was great fellowship among its’ members.
Most important to Gloria was her love for her family and her deep faith in God. Family get-togethers and attending her Grandchildren’s activities were so very special. Holiday dinners always ended with music –everyone playing an instrument or singing, particularly at Christmas.
When Gloria’s’ husband retired, they shared their many interests. For over 25 years they played bridge with dear friends. Listening to classical music, operas and the 3 tenors was also a relaxing past time. They enjoyed traveling to many Caribbean Islands and Europe. A highlight of their travels was a Disney World Cruise, with their family, celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
After 56 years of a wonderful marriage Gloria’s cherished husband, Frank Morra, a beloved educator passed away on May 5th 2014. He is sorely missed, but Gloria was so grateful for the number of happy years they spent together and for all the devoted love, care, and support of their surviving family, their son, John Anthony Morra, daughter-in-law Ellen Ferrentino Morra and Grandchildren, John Anthony Morra II, William Francis Morra and Julia Louise Morra all of North Carolina and sister-in-law Clare Morra, California.
Besides her Husband, Frank J. Morra, Gloria was pre-deceased by her Parents Louis and Louise Sacco, Manasquan, a Sister and Brother-in-law Louise and Richard Roden, Atlantic Highlands, N.J., her In-laws, Frank and Mildreth Morra, Conn. Her Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law Joan and Austin Dwyer, Conn. and a Brother-in-law John, Calif. and many relatives.
Visitation will take place from 4 to7 pm at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Highway 35 at New Bedford Road Wall, N.J. on Sunday August 30, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Denis Roman Catholic Church, 90 Union Avenue Manasquan, N.J. on Monday, August 31, 2015 at 10 am, followed by entombment in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Sea Girt, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gloria’s memory to the Rotary Club of Spring Lake-Brielle Foundation for the Frank Morra Rotary Scholarship. Mail donations to Spring Lake-Rotary, P.O. box 458, Spring Lake, NJ 07762.