Gloria A. Acosta

NORTHAMPTON - Gloria Ann Acosta, born April 2, 1958 in Springfield, MA, died peacefully at home February 4, 2016 after a long, brave fight against cervical cancer. Gloria lived for 4 ½ years at Wingate Nursing Home in Springfield, after suffering a stroke that left her paralyzed on the right side and unable to function on her own. Gloria had a winsome, social side that couldn’t help but make friends, which she did, even at Wingate. She was overjoyed when, in July of 2015, she was able to come home at last to an adult foster family, who deeply appreciated Gloria’s smile, sense of humor, and ability to bounce back in the face of many hardships and childhood traumas. Her foster family, Jeff and Julie Olmsted, as well as their children Grace and Wiley and his sweetheart Alena Douglas, often laughed, shared meals and had planned a long life together as a “re-constituted” loving family. Gloria frequently expressed her gratitude to at last have a family that would stay by her side and include her in many joyful ways. She fought long and hard the Stage III cancer with which she was diagnosed just six weeks after she moved to Northampton. Her family laments that Gloria did not benefit from early detection of her cancer, which cut her life short and caused her excruciating pain. Gloria was a most grateful and faith-filled person, in the face of what most of us would consider unbearable suffering. She graciously said “thank you” at least a hundred times a day. In this spirit, Gloria’s foster family would like to thank everyone on her caregiving team, especially the nurses and social workers to whom Gloria endeared herself with her childlike ways, even in the short time that they knew her. A private memorial service will be held for Gloria, for her foster family and the caregivers that share this very sad loss. Contributions may be made in Gloria’s name to VNA Hospice, Northampton, MA or the Haydenville Congregational Church, where Gloria attended and felt very loved and accepted. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Visit www.nefcc.net We invite you to send a message of condolence to the Acosta family at www.nefcc.net

Gloria A. Acosta

April 21, 1958 - February 4, 2016