Obituary of Gloria Frances Jirouschek

A friend to everyone, lover of animals, dearest sister, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother, Gloria Jirouschek, age 80, of Califon, New Jersey, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Someford Place Memory Care Assisted Living, Newark, Delaware after living with Alzheimers-type dementia for twelve years.

Gloria, the youngest of three daughters, was born on June 4, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY, to Salvatore and Carrie (Arata) Ottuso. She attended New Utrecht High School and graduated in December, 1960. Following high school, she worked as a secretary before beginning a family. After raising her four children, Gloria worked as a processing clerk, and administrator for Exact Level, located in High Bridge, NJ, Koh-i-Noor, and Foster Wheeler, Clinton, NJ, as well as hostessing for several Cracker Barrel restaurants in New Jersey and Virginia. 

Gloria enjoyed participating with two Mothers of Twins clubs. First in Somerset County, NJ and then Hunterdon County, NJ. She was an officer for both clubs, including president throughout her participation. She received a “Mother-of-the-Year” award from the Somerset County Twins Club in 1976. Gloria was also active with both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts organizations, as troop leader and den mother. She was a band parent for the Voorhees High School band and color guard. Gloria was also a founding member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, where she was involved in creating and running the food pantry there for about ten years.

Gloria is survived by her sister, Carol (Ottuso/Olivetti) Lowsky of Charlottesville, VA; daughter, Janet (Jirouschek/Barber) Zegna and husband Jeff of Frankford, DE; son, Michael Jirouschek of Charlottesville, VA; son, Thomas Jirouschek and wife Seena Redan of Littleton, CO.; granddaughter, Meghann Barber of Dublin, Ireland; grandsons, Anthony Jirouschek of Chattanooga, TN, and Nicholas Zegna of Frankford, DE; great-grandson, Liam Goree-Jirouschek of Fairview Heights, IL; her brother-in-law, John DeBernardis of Jackson, NJ; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore, and Carrie Ottuso; sister, Verna (Ottuso) DeBernardis; brother-in-law, John Lowsky; and her daughter, Barbara Ann Jirouschek.

Family and friends are invited to visit with Gloria’s family on September 30, 2023, from 9:30 am until 10:30 am, at St. John Nuemann Catholic Church, 398 Rt. 513, Califon, NJ 07830. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 am. All services will be held directly at church. Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, 316 Old Allerton Rd., Annandale, NJ. Martin Funeral Home, Clinton, NJ are in charge of the funeral arrangements. To share memories with the family. please visit www.martinfh.com.

Memorial donations in Gloria’s name may be made to, “Somerford Strong” team for the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's at their donation page: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2023/PA- DelawareValley?team_id=828951&pg=team&fr_id=16897#team-roster. 

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Someford House & Place and all the caregivers, nurses, activities personnel, nutrition staff, maintenance/custodial staff, and administration who have taken such wonderful care of our mother since she began her residence at House in 2016. You have been a blessing to our beloved mother, Gloria, and her family.