LOCKPORT – Gloria D. McNitt, Lockport, passed away April 26, 2011 after a long courageous battle with cancer. She never complained, was always the optimist through this battle, just as she was in her life. Her glass was always half full.
Born Jan. 22, 1927 in Norwich, Gloria was the daughter of the late Marion Truesdell and Thomas Downey. Gloria was raised by her late grandmother, Blanche Schrader and her late aunt, Vivien Lewis, who nick named her “Sugar.” “Sug” as she was known to her family in Norwich where she grew up and met and married her high school sweetheart, the late Harold E. McNitt, they were married for 54 years. Gloria always enjoyed a close relationship with her husband’s family. Throughout her life, Gloria was interested in art and music. She played the clarinet in her junior high orchestra and was a drummer in the Norwich High School marching band. Gloria also loved to read, crochet, work on cross word puzzles, wood working crafts, paint, draw, ceramics, and made seasonal pins. During her lifetime she enjoyed golf, bowling, swimming, and roller skating. Being Irish she enjoyed a cold beer.
Gloria and her husband moved to Oneonta in 1953 where she was active in the Methodist Church. Gloria especially enjoyed helping make peanut brittle as a fund raiser for the church. Gloria and her family were avid roller skaters and members of the Emmons Roller Skating Club in Oneonta. In 1966 Gloria and her family moved to Lockport where she and her husband opened McNitt Optical. Gloria later started her own ceramic business. In 1983 she began working at Albion Correctional Facility in the recreation department where she taught arts and crafts. She later transferred to Orleans Correctional Facility. Gloria especially enjoyed her co-workers, she retired in 1993.
In retirement, Gloria joined the “Java Girls” of Panera Bread where she crafted pins for holidays and special occasions. She enjoyed giving her hand crafted pins to friends, neighbors and strangers. Gloria was also an active member of Curves for Women until her illness.
Gloria is survived by her four children, Capt. Kenneth McNitt, McDonough, Sherry (Lacy) Silcox, Lockport, Melodie (Eugene) Downey, Craselton, Ga. and Rev. Tracy (Julie) McNitt, Getzville. She has eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Gloria also has a special son like relationship with Dennis (Danielle) Mauragis of Gainesville, Fla. She is the sister of Thomas (Mariann) Downey of Bushnell, Fla., Robert Downey Sr. of Norwich and the late Eugene Downey. She is also the half sister of Autumn Law of Norwich and John (Marty) Cole of Florida and the late Beverly Slentz.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 at the Medina VFW, 216 Center St., Medina, where a memorial service will be held immediately following. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich.
Donations to Roswell Park Cancer Institute would be appreciated by the family. Visit www.pruddenandkandt.com.
Local arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich.