Obituary for Gloria Joshephine Vincent (O'loughlin)
Graves announces funeral services for Mrs. Gloria J. Vincent which will be held Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 11am at Grace Episcopal Church located at 1400 East Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Virginia 23504. The Rev. Harold Cobb, Rector.
Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 from 1:00-5:00 at Graves Funeral Home, 1631 Church Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23504
A native of New York City, Gloria O’Loughlin Vincent was born on September 21, 1931 to John and Edith O’Loughlin. She attended New York City Public Schools and City College. She earned a master’s degree from Lincoln University.
She married the love of her life, Cyril F. Vincent Sr., on February 6, 1954. To their blessed union were born two sons, Cyril Jr. and Gregory and a daughter, Leslie. Gloria devoted her life to family, church and community. She was baptized and then confirmed at age 13 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem. Her lifelong Christian service included serving as the summer church camp director at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in the Bronx, and most recently as a member of the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Virginia.
Gloria was first appointed to the community school board in 1969 and when she was first elected to her seat in 1970 there were only 1469 African American elected officials nationwide. She won elections for 4 terms and served as board president on two occasions. She used her eloquent voice to advocate for local control of schools and educational equity for all children.
Gloria also enjoyed a fulfilling career. She served as a labor relations counselor for the New York City Transit Authority until her retirement in 1991. Cyril also retired as an electrical engineer and they moved to Virginia Beach to enjoy their golden years.
Gloria was known for her beautiful smile and her children state that she never met a stranger. Routine trips to the grocery store became marathon events because of her joy in speaking to virtually every person in the store. She bowled in a number of leagues, enjoyed games of chance and loved to dance and travel to her heart’s content.
Gloria held memberships in several organizations. She was a life member of the NAACP; National Council of Negro Women; Bible Study and Daughters of the King at Grace Episcopal Church. In addition, she was a devoted, twenty-year member of her beloved book club, the Literary Circle of Friends.
Gloria peacefully entered eternal rest on July 10, 2019 in Virginia Beach Virginia. Gloria was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her two brothers, two sisters and her siblings-in-law.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Cyril; her sons Cyril Jr. (Teresa) and Gregory (Kimberly); daughter Leslie; Niece Elsie; and Nephews Claude and Theodore; Grandchildren: LaTrece Vincent, Brittany Vincent, Camille Vincent, Gregory Vincent Jr., Raymond Vincent, Shawn Vincent, Cameron Vincent, Justin Parker and Ashleigh Turner; Daughters in Love: Terri, Leslie, Coletta, Xanthe and Yseult; 4 great-grandchildren; several grand nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and a community of friends.
Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 from 1:00-5:00 at Graves Funeral Home, 1631 Church Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23504
A native of New York City, Gloria O’Loughlin Vincent was born on September 21, 1931 to John and Edith O’Loughlin. She attended New York City Public Schools and City College. She earned a master’s degree from Lincoln University.
She married the love of her life, Cyril F. Vincent Sr., on February 6, 1954. To their blessed union were born two sons, Cyril Jr. and Gregory and a daughter, Leslie. Gloria devoted her life to family, church and community. She was baptized and then confirmed at age 13 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem. Her lifelong Christian service included serving as the summer church camp director at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in the Bronx, and most recently as a member of the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Virginia.
Gloria was first appointed to the community school board in 1969 and when she was first elected to her seat in 1970 there were only 1469 African American elected officials nationwide. She won elections for 4 terms and served as board president on two occasions. She used her eloquent voice to advocate for local control of schools and educational equity for all children.
Gloria also enjoyed a fulfilling career. She served as a labor relations counselor for the New York City Transit Authority until her retirement in 1991. Cyril also retired as an electrical engineer and they moved to Virginia Beach to enjoy their golden years.
Gloria was known for her beautiful smile and her children state that she never met a stranger. Routine trips to the grocery store became marathon events because of her joy in speaking to virtually every person in the store. She bowled in a number of leagues, enjoyed games of chance and loved to dance and travel to her heart’s content.
Gloria held memberships in several organizations. She was a life member of the NAACP; National Council of Negro Women; Bible Study and Daughters of the King at Grace Episcopal Church. In addition, she was a devoted, twenty-year member of her beloved book club, the Literary Circle of Friends.
Gloria peacefully entered eternal rest on July 10, 2019 in Virginia Beach Virginia. Gloria was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her two brothers, two sisters and her siblings-in-law.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Cyril; her sons Cyril Jr. (Teresa) and Gregory (Kimberly); daughter Leslie; Niece Elsie; and Nephews Claude and Theodore; Grandchildren: LaTrece Vincent, Brittany Vincent, Camille Vincent, Gregory Vincent Jr., Raymond Vincent, Shawn Vincent, Cameron Vincent, Justin Parker and Ashleigh Turner; Daughters in Love: Terri, Leslie, Coletta, Xanthe and Yseult; 4 great-grandchildren; several grand nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and a community of friends.