Gloria M. Caniglia

Gloria Minnette Caniglia, age 95, passed away on October 24, 2026, after a long and full life. She will be remembered for her love of family, her spirited personality, and her genuine interest in others. She enjoyed good conversation, loved to laugh, was always willing to listen when someone needed a friend, and was never afraid to speak her mind.

Born on March 17, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Louise Hales, Gloria grew up in Clare, Michigan, a small farming community. She loved growing up on the farm and had especially fond memories of spending time with her aunts, Effie and Myra. Her aunt Effie was a teacher who cared for her in the afternoons, and those early years remained special to her throughout her life.

She held various jobs during her life, but in 1983, following the death of her husband, Eli Caniglia, she began volunteering at Siena/Francis House, a homeless shelter. What began as volunteer work soon turned into a part time position as the organization's bookkeeper and overseer of various projects. She loved her work there and, over the course of more than 30 years, became something of a mother figure to many of the people she encountered. Her caring nature was often accompanied by a feisty side, especially when it came to overseeing the kitchen and making sure the food was set out just the way she thought it should be. She often joked that she wasn't leaving Siena/Francis House until "they carry me out of here."

Outside of work, she enjoyed reading, cooking, and dancing. She loved good conversation, sharing stories and laughter, and had a personality that was all her own.

She was the mother of six daughters: Lynette (Jim), Jeanie (Rollie), Loretta, Patty, & Gail (Terry) from her first marriage, and Camille (Mark) with her beloved husband: Eli Caniglia. Eli brought three children of his own to their marriage: Chuck (Randi), Jerry (Marta), & Angel, creating a blended family. Their marriage was a special chapter in her life, one that ended far too soon with Eli's passing at the age of 63.

She was also grandmother to Michelle, Andy, Katie, David, Annie, Jason, Jessica, Dustin, Joey, Dane, Michael, Ryan, Joseph, Sabrina, Emily, Steven, Sam, Tyler, Sydney, Katelyn, Nolan, Kristin, Robert, Casey, Melissa, Elizabeth and Regina and a great-grandmother to numerous great-grandchildren.

Gloria lived 95 years on her own terms, with a strong spirit, and a generous heart. She had a wonderful sense of humor as well and those who were lucky enough to receive one of her famous operatic renditions of "Happy Birthday" on their special day will surely never forget it. She will be dearly missed, but the stories and laughter she leaves behind will live on.

Memorial Mass 10:30 AM Friday (10/30/2026) with luncheon to follow at St. Robert Bellarmine Church 11802 Pacific St. Omaha, NE; Private burial at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, NE.

To view the livestream, please go to St. Robert Bellarmine Church Stream.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Gretna Chapel - 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090

www.RoederMortuary.com