Obituary of Gloria N. Fernandez-Mira

It is with deepest sorrow that we share the news that Gloria Narcisa Fernandez–Mira lost her over 10-year battle against Alzheimer’s Disease, and she passed away peacefully at home, on February 3, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 12th at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Ave, Denville.  Visiting hours will be held on Friday, February 11th from 3-6 pm at Norman Dean Home forServices, 16 Righter Ave, Denville.  Please share your memories here.  Her family will cherish them. 

Gloria was born in Havana, Cuba on October 29, 1944.  She was one of two children born to Armando and Francisca Fernandez-Mira (nee Fernandez-Santana). In November 1960, at the young age of 16, her family fled Cuba andsought political asylum in Miami.  With just a few dollars to their name and the clothes on their backs, they started their new life in the United States.

Gloria excelled in school and enjoyed socializing with her friends.  A few years after she graduated high school, she moved to Puerto Rico with her mother acting as chaperone.  While there, she worked for IBM Corporationas a key punch operator.  She met Mr. Francisco Aneiros, fell in love, and they married in August 1970.  They were soon blessed with a son, Francisco, who she doted upon.  The sun rose and set on him, and she always worked hard to give him a wonderful life.  

After her divorce, in order to continue providing for Frank, she moved back to the states, to Nutley NJ, where her parents were at the time, so she could know and trust that her son would be cared for while she made a living. She worked during the day and went to school in the evenings first to Seton Hall University and then Montclair State University, where she graduated in May of 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.

She and her family moved from Nutley to Livingston, NJ, to give Frank stability, and throughout Frank’s childhood, she set a wonderful example for him.  She never missed a single event in his life.  Even with her own health challenges, Gloria was always present – from signing herself out of the St. Barnabas Medical Center against medical advice to be there for his preschool graduation, to his HS and college graduations, to seeing him get married to the love of his life, Paula, and to celebrate the birth of her 1st grandchild – she was there.  Gloria wasn’t only a good provider to her son.  During this time, Gloria not only provided for him, she also cared for her aging parents and aunt.   

In addition to being a wonderful provider, Gloria had other facets.  She loved to travel!  Through the years, she, her parents, and aunt would take Frank on trips and adventures, to create moments and memories.  They went to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and Canada.  They saw oceans, lakes and mountains.  They took trains trips down the East Coast.  They drove to Pennsylvania and visited the Crystal Caverns.  She took him to Miami and many other places along the way.  She instilled the spirit of adventure in her son, a desire to experience and see new things!  She also loved going to the movies.   She and Frank would often escape from reality, and spend Sunday afternoons at the movie theater, enjoying a multitude of genres – but science fiction movies were her passion!  She loved a good Sci-Fi thriller! If she wasn’t at the movies with Frank, you could find her at home watching re-runs of Star Trek or X-Files.  She also enjoyed painting and playing video games.

Gloria also had a wonderful sense of humor.  Not that she didn’t take things seriously, she just didn’t take herself seriously.  She would always find the humor in a situation, even if it was at her own expense.  She always, always had a smile on her face, and she had an infectious laugh.  You couldn’t help but laugh along with her! 

Gloria worked for many companies through the years, including IBM, GEC Marconi, Lear Siegler, Falcon Jet, Smith Industries, and Cherry Road Consulting to name just a few.  She was also the proud recipient of the 1992 YWCA Tribute to Women and Industry – TWIN award. 

In 2008, Gloria retired from Cherry Road Consulting, sold her home in Livingston, and moved in with Frank and his family, in Denville, to enjoy her Golden Years with her family.  Despite her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she continued to enjoy going to the movies with Frank and the family, traveling to visit with her cousins in Miami, and playing with her grandchildren.  She celebrated multiple milestones with her family, both happy and sad.  

Gloria is predeceased in death by her parents, Armando and Francisca Fernandez-Mira and her granddaughter, Evelyn Grace Aneiros.  She is survived by her son Francisco Aneiros and his wife, Paula (nee Dikun), her grandchildren, Francisco, Alexander, and Liliana Aneiros, her brother Armando Fernandez-Mira of Alabama, her niece Brooke (Tyler Sawyer) and their son Micah, also of Alabama, and cousins Liana Flores Sabina, Liane Sabina, Liane-Alexis Morejon (Anthony Fernandez) and their daughter Eva Fernandez, all of Florida.  She was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all that knew her.