Obituary
Yolanda Gloria Franco Fanovich, 99, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, passed away on February 13, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband Frank in 2011, Her parents, Salvatore Franco and Julia (Apuzzo) Franco, her sisters, Mary Catalo and Amelia (Molly) Monza, and brothers, Anthony, Louis, Joseph, Frank and John. She is survived by her sister-in-law Ruth Fanovich, her sister-in-law and husband Anne (Fanovich) and John Flannery and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Gloria was born on November 24, 1923 in the Bronx, New York. She graduated from WaltonHigh School in the Bronx and then began her lifelong career as a secretary.
Gloria married her high school sweetheart, Frank on February 2, 1946. She became a “baseball wife” when Frank made it to the major leagues. Her baseball days were filled with great adventures and many new friendships. After the baseball days were over, Gloria moved on to be an Executive Secretary to the owner of Stella D’Oro Biscuit Co. in the Bronx. When Gloria and Frank moved to the suburbs, she held a similar position as an Executive Secretary at AT&T.
In 1991 Frank and Gloria retired and moved to New Smyrna Beach where they met a whole new group of wonderful friends. Gloria loved to dress in high fashion and always with the latest trends. Jewelry was another passion, she loved bling. Her love of animals was ever present with her many rescued dogs and cats, and most especially with her constant companion of late, Lola. She was an excellent cook and her lasagna was the best. Gloria had the most infectious laugh and it always put a smile on everyone’s face. She was a woman of faith, but believed if you were a good person and respected others, God would be with you. Gloria was a warm-hearted soul who was confident and she did it ‘Her Way’.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to her personal caregiver Sophia Pardo, the staff at Wickshire Port Orange, her doctors, and doctors and nursing staff at Adventhealth New Smyrna Beach. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via stjude.org.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 8:00 am at Baldwin Brothers New Smyrna Beach location, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Entombment at Sea Pines Cemetery will follow.
Service
998 Father Donlon Drive New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168
3001 S Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater, FL 32141
Visitation
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
1 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169
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