Gloria Abate

January 28, 2022

Gloria Abate of Toms River passed away peacefully, Friday evening January 28, 2022 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted wife, sister, aunt, and friend to all who knew her. She was an awarded winning teacher at Silver Bay Elementary School in Toms River until her retirement in 2009. Working with her ADK sisters, she spent many hours on Altruistic projects. Gloria was the daughter of the late Anthony and Antoinette Santeramo. She is survived by her loving husband Lawrence "Larry" Abate, her twin sisters Phyllis Ciupinski and her husband Frank, and Marie Smith-Kloster and her husband James. She was the cherished aunt to her nieces, Lori Ciupinski and Kristen Amabile (husband George), nephew Michael Ciupinski (wife Stacy), and great nieces, Isabella, Rylee and Savannah, and great nephew Gavin. Also survived by many cousins, special friends, ADK sisters, students, long time childhood friend Claire Spiwak and her family. In addition to her love of teaching, family was her greatest joy. Gloria looked forward to babysitting her grandnieces and grandnephew, and spending quality time reading stories to them. All holidays were special to Gloria, whether it was baking, wrapping gifts or even endless shopping. She was known for her cream cheese brownies, which she shared with everyone, including the contractors who worked on our house. She also spent endless hours creating bows and baskets for her ADK family. Her wrapped gifts were gorgeous works of art, that you hesitated to open. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church will be Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 10:30am. Cemetery will follow. Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, 2482 Church Rd., Toms River is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gloria's memory to: St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.