Gloria lived most of her 95 years in Los Banos with the exception of 20 years in the Scotts Valley/Santa Cruz area where she and her husband, Sam Spina, were local business owners.Upon their return to Los Banos in 1985, Gloria and Sam became involved in many social activities including The Golden Agers where Gloria held the office of Secretary/Treasurer. Gloria also was a 51+ year member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West.
They had many cherished life-long friends and family in the Los Banos area. Everyone in Los Banos knew Gloria and Sam.
Gloria attended and graduated from Los Banos High School in 1940 and during the war, worked briefly at Castle Air Force Base.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Sam, her parents, Pasquale and Mary Papaleo, her sisters, Theresa Fahey, Carmella Smith, and June Erreca, her brother James (Buddy) Papaleo, and her nieces, Ione R. Cameron and Leslie Cameron.
Gloria is survived by her step-daughter, Celsa Spina (Richard) Roy of La Jolla, CA, her niece, Sydney (Larry) Hope of Los Banos, her nephews, John (Vicki) Fahey of Paso Robles, Emil Erreca of Los Banos, Doug (Elaine) Smith of Texas, and Jeff Smith of Mill Valley, several great nieces, nephews and friends.
Gloria held a very special place in her heart for her great-great nephews Jayce, Jaxin and Jerison of Salt Lake City. She spent many hours playing and teaching the boys how to gamble.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 10 am at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel of Los Banos followed by the Funeral Service at 11 am. Burial at the Los Banos Cemetery District. Services are entrusted to Whitehurst Funeral Chapel.