A Brooklyn Icon Last Thursday, the vibrant heart of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, dimmed as Gloria “Oma” Boulos peacefully passed away at the youthful age of 95. Leaving behind a legacy woven with love, laughter, and a profound sense of community, Gloria was more than a matriarch—she was a living testament to resilience, warmth, and authenticity.
Gloria, fondly known as Facebook before Facebook, possessed a social prowess that rivaled the digital age. With a social circle larger than the combined total of her 6 children and 13 grandchildren, her home served as the epicenter of Bensonhurst for an incredible 70 years. Every soul was welcomed with open arms, and the table was never without its abundance of food, a testament to Gloria’s nurturing spirit.
Her doors, perhaps symbolic of her open-hearted nature, remained unlocked—a tangible embodiment of the trust she placed in her community. Gloria was more than a mother and grandmother; she was the matriarch of a family that extended far beyond blood ties. Gloria’s life was a testament to resilience, facing diabetes, cancer, heart failure, and numerous other health challenges with a spirited determination. Her coping mechanism was rooted in the belief that a joyous reunion awaited her with her daughter Lynne and husband John “Frenchy” on the other side.
A musical soul, Gloria quietly hummed Neil Diamond’s “Song Sung Blue” since 1972, the melody echoing through the walls of her beloved Brooklyn home. She was a woman of peculiar remedies, attributing her longevity to the consumption of precisely 9 raisins soaked in gin every morning—a secret she believed could bankrupt the medical profession if revealed.
Amid the pandemic, Gloria didn’t resort to conventional measures like masks and social distancing. Instead, she waged a mental war, firmly convinced that the mind held the key to immunity. Her sharp intellect, demonstrated by her retention of rotary phone numbers and her reluctance to part with her rotary phone until 2010, spoke volumes about her character.
Known as a voracious reader, Gloria devoured books for breakfast, expanding her knowledge of countries she never physically visited. Her authenticity was unparalleled, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know her. Gloria’s motto for life, delivered in her deep Brooklyn accent, resonates as a guiding principle: “See, so, what can you do? I don’t bother, it’s all nonsense.” It encapsulates her philosophy, reminding us to embrace life with a shrug and a smile, transcending the trivialities that may consume us.
As we bid farewell to this extraordinary woman, we celebrate the love, entertainment, connection, and life she generously shared. Gloria Boulos will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew her, a beacon of resilience and authenticity in an ever-changing world.A small ceremony for family members is scheduled for Saturday, January 27.
On Sunday, January 28, friends and family are invited to gather after noon at Gloria Boulos’ home to celebrate the remarkable life of a woman whose memory will endure through the stories and love she left behind. If you have a memory of Gloria to share, please do, as volumes of books could be written from the stories of her Brooklyn home.
