Gloria Mary Poulos

Gloria Mary Poulos, nee Lerario, 98 passed away peacefully at home with family on a beautiful afternoon on the Catholic Feast Day of the Solemnity of the Holy Family, December 29, 2024.  Our Mother honored the feast days and with earnest said her daily prayers to Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Gloria was born on September 8, 1926, the first of three children to Italian Immigrant parents, Thomas and Mary Lerario, nee Colaprico.  A native Washingtonian, she was born in their family home on Irving Street, NW and with her family later moved to Ingraham Street, NW.  Gloria attended Sacred Heart Grade School in the District and graduated in 1945 from Immaculate Conception Academy High School located on 8th & Q St, NW, Washington DC.  She was an alumnae member of ICA and attended her 79th reunion for an all-class celebration in October 2024.

Gloria met the love of her life, James A. Poulos, II in 1945 while he was on Navy leave following WWII.  They married at Nativity Catholic Church, Washington, DC in 1949 and lovingly raised a family of 6 children in the Catholic parishes of St. Mary’s, Landover Hills, MD and at St John the Evangelist, Forest Glen, MD as a parishioner from 1966-2011 until moving to Leisure World as a parishioner of St. Patrick’s, Rockville, MD.  Most recently, she often attended mass at Our Lady of Grace, Silver Spring, MD.

Gloria worked occasional Saturdays as a hostess helping out a family friend’s restaurant - Kay’s in Washington DC in the 70’s.  She charmed the owners and guests by teaming with the chef in making our family recipes and her delicious soups which became menu items and daily specials.  It was a natural love of Gloria to cook and she read cookbooks leisurely for hours and enjoyed making traditional Italian meals and American favorites which became our traditional large family feasts that were beyond delicious.    

Upon her youngest entering grade school in 1973, Gloria started a career with the Federal Government. She held positions in research and development and ultimately retired in 1987 from the National Science Foundation.

Gloria was always on the move!  She cherished her friends whose kindness and support throughout her life was wonderful.  We are thankful for Mom's friendships within the Knights of Columbus - Rosensteel Council, the Mary Knights, the Italian Social Club, The Rosary Legion, St Bernadette Tuesday Club, years of bowling leagues, the golden girls at ceramics, her sewing and craft groups, her lifelong friends from Immaculate Academy, friends from her childhood neighborhoods, from the parish community of St John’s, the neighbors on Westview Drive and  the community of  friends at Leisure World.  

Gloria enjoyed truly a rich life, and our family is what she lived for.  She loved her children and her grandchildren with all her heart.  She was truly the happiest when she had all her kids around her and notably enjoying grandchildren and great grandchildren!  Her devotion to family was seen by all who knew her.  That love has carried her children throughout their lives and was the example that she set for all to follow.  We will continue to carry her in that spirit of family first and are thankful for her as our beautiful mother.  

Gloria demonstrated unyielding strength, resilience and grace throughout her life.  She was a beautiful example of love in action and inspired the hearts of so many with her sincerity, acts of kindness and her dedication to our family.  Her unwavering faith in God and prayers of consecration to the Blessed Mother carried her with great joy and deep comfort throughout her life.  Her love of life, love of cherished friends, love of our family and her devotion to our Catholic faith are traits that define her beautifully. 

Gloria is preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, James A Poulos, II (1925-2008).

As a beloved mother she is preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Mary Ann Granger-Alderson (1955-2007) and her youngest son, Francis Thomas Poulos 1961-2011 (Elena). 

As a devoted sister, she is preceded in death by her brother, Peter T. Lerario 1928-2024 (Louise +).

She is survived by her cherished sister Victoria Lerario Donoghue (Patrick +) and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Gloria is also survived by her loving children, James A. Poulos, III (Gail), John T. Poulos, Beth Fangmeyer Poulos (daughter in law), Christine A. Clements (Robert), and Teresa Poulos Herbert (Michael).

Lovingly known as Grandma, Grand Ma -Ma and Grandma Glo, she has truly left a legacy of love to 45 grandchildren: 19 Grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and one great grandson on the way.  

We truly thank God for blessing our world with her great love of our family!  We will miss her beyond words. 

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, relatives and friends can join at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Rockville, MD for a  Rosary led by the Mary Knights at 11:00am.  The Visitation will begin at 11:15am and Mass of  Christian burial will begin at 12:00pm.  Interment on Friday, January 10, 2025, 2:30pm, at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Bladensburg, MD.   

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mary Ann Granger-Alderson Scholarship in memory of Gloria’s eldest daughter whose life is honored in perpetuity by the University of Maryland, https://giving.umd.edu/giving/Fund.php?name=mary-ann-granger-alderson-memorial-scholarship. 

Checks may also be made payable to University System of Maryland Foundation, Memo Line: Mary Ann Granger-Alderson Memorial Scholarship or Acct#91140700, and mailed to University of Maryland Office of Gift Acceptance, 4603 Calvert Road, College Park, MD 20740.