Gloria J. Loughlin
Gloria J. Loughlin, a former kindergarten teacher, an artist, an athletic enthusiast and a believer in the wonder of nature died Sun., April 2, 2023 at the age of 91.
Mrs. Loughlin was born to Emily and Philip Bisogno on January 19, 1932. She and her three sisters were all first-generation Americans, raised in Brooklyn and she used to talk about the adventures they shared growing up in what was then a rural area, said her family.
Mrs. Loughlin met her husband, the late Hon. Daniel J. Loughlin when she was working at Equitable Life Insurance.
“The moment my father met my mother he told her he was going to marry her,” said their daughter, Laure Loughlin Klopsis, “although my mother wasn’t as sure.”
They were wed a year and a half later on December 20, 1952 and spent the next 68 years together. Gloria and Dan moved to Babylon Village in 1966 where they raised their two daughters, Claire and Laure and where Judge Loughlin was a lawyer before becoming a judge.
When her daughters went to school, Mrs. Loughlin decided to go back to work. She began working in the West Babylon School District, where she was employed for over thirty years. Her first job was in the cafeteria at John F. Kennedy School, followed by many years as a clerk in the office. She soon realized where her passion lay and went back to school to finish her bachelor’s degree and then eventually to get her master’s degree in education. She became a kindergarten teacher at South Bay Elementary School for the last 18 years of her career and retired at 71.
“My mom was a great teacher,” said her daughter, Claire Merz. “She loved the moment when her students could read their first words. She described that moment as magical and thought reading was so important in life.” She was also part of a generation that no longer exists. “She taught kindergarten every day in a dress, stockings, and high heels,” said Merz.
Mrs. Loughlin enjoyed all the creativity, crafts and fun activities that were a part of teaching kindergarten. She was an artist herself, painting beautiful watercolors, an excellent seamstress making clothes for herself and her daughters, a talented baker and a competitive athlete. Gloria played tennis and paddleball, and later in life transitioned to daily yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi. She was interested in the stars and loved to view the constellations in the heavens.
As a younger woman Mrs. Loughlin was a Girl Scout leader. She also loved, “Taking us to the beach, ice skating, or going out to build a snowman. My friends always remember her being a part of their lives as well because she did a lot with us,” said Loughlin Klopsis.
Mrs. Loughlin was involved with Catholic Daughters of America at St. Joseph’s Church in Babylon where she attended Mass every morning. Mrs. Loughlin and her husband were members of the Long Island Yacht Club in Babylon for over 20 years and Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore for 38 years.
“Sadly, when her Dan died in August of 2021, she only wanted one thing, to be with the love of her life who she had spent over 70 years with,” said her daughter Loughlin Klopsis.
Merz said, “She made all of our lives special. She will be greatly missed.”
Mrs. Loughlin is survived by her daughters, Claire Merz of Babylon, Laure Loughlin Klopsis and her husband Leo of West Islip and grandchildren: Luke Merz, Arielle Klopsis and Hallie Merz. Her sisters Jeanne, Rose and Teresa all predeceased her.
She reposed at The Fredrick J. Chapey and Sons Funeral Home in West Islip. A Celebration of the Liturgy of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Babylon on April 10, 2023 and was followed by Interment at Babylon Rural Cemetery in Babylon.
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