Gloria Griffith

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Gloria Griffith, a loving, kind, and caring person, transitioned on October 17, 2024 at Mount Sinai Hospital, after battling cancer and other ailments for several years, surrounded by love and respect. Gloria Griffith lived in Cambria Heights for over 40 years and was a member of St. David’s Episcopal church. Gloria was born on January 29th, 1943, in Panama. She was the eldest child to the late Virginia and Eduardo Howell. Gloria lived a life of uplifting others.

Gloria’s family lived on Calle diecisiete (17th street). During her formative years Gloria assisted in the raising of her 7 brothers & sisters. She had an amazing work ethic and worked from an early age to help her family and herself excel. She graduated from Liceo de Señoritas High School (Liceo School for Girls). 

Panama is also where, in 1962, Gloria married Theodore Gilliard, a merchant marine and relocated to Brooklyn, New York in the United States. Although this union would not last they had 2 daughters Lorna and Vanessa.

While she did not originally speak the language, she taught herself through watching television and reading the newspaper. Gloria’s first job here was working at a high end women’s boutique specifically assisting the Spanish speaking clientele. Mrs Faye, the owner of the boutique, and Gloria became good friends. Mrs Faye assisted her with getting her GED in America. After obtaining her GED, Gloria was able to get a better job. She began her career at Emsig Manufacturing Corporation from a secretarial position and moved up to a bookkeeper/office manager. She also worked as a translator for the President of the company. During this time, Gloria became a naturalized citizen of America.

Gloria then sent for her mother, Virginia Howell once she was settled. Together they worked to bring her sisters Glenda & Marta and brothers, Horacio (deceased) & Victor to America as well. She assisted many family members and friends with getting their first job in America at Emsig during her 40+ years with the company. Gloria was an independent woman who always had an entrepreneurial spirit. These endeavors assisted in helping her raise her 2 daughters as a single mother.

Gloria married William Griffith (deceased). They enjoyed having family and friends over for parties or Sunday dinners. Their Panamanian & Caribbean music  was always playing for parties or on any given evening. She loved dancing and was the life of many gatherings. Gloria and Griff traveled to England, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama and more. 

After her tenure at Emsig, she moved on to become a home health aide, as she enjoyed caring for and supporting people. Gloria worked helping others till she was 78 years old. She regularly volunteered at voting polls and assisted with voting registration. A devoutly religious person, she was an active member of her church, St David Episcopal Church, where she attended mass regularly and supported their endeavors in addition to praying regularly.

Gloria loved her family and friends. She would call to tell you to wear a jacket because it would be cold where you lived. She would call to make sure her family who all live outside of NY were ok when things were happening in the world. She would call or send cards for her family's birthdays, anniversaries (I mean all). She was not a rich woman but would send a little something in each of those cards for the children especially. She celebrated the life of others attending weddings, showers and transitions. We were all in her prayers always.

On October 17, 2024, Gloria passed away at age 81 She is survived by her daughters: Lorna Lewis and Vanessa Matthews; Son-in-laws Robert Lewis Jr, & Kenny Matthews; her grandchildren: Gabrielle Lewis, Trevaughn Wiggan, and Isabella Lewis; her siblings: Berta Bermudez, Nivia Howell, Glenda (Neil) Gayle, Victor (Elise) Howell, Marta Howell, Jorge Howell, Clifford Howell; her nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends. We also lovingly remember siblings, Leroy Howell, Horacio R. Howell, Lurdes Howell & nephew Horacio Howell Jr. 

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