Gloria Ester Garcia Rosario, 82, of Columbia, died November 12, 2018, at Palmetto Health Richland after an extended illness. Born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, on March 1, 1936, she was a daughter of the late Angel and Ines Garcia Garcia. She was a founding member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. She retired from the Army and Air force Exchange Service (AAFES) after a 22 year career. Gloria was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother to her entire family. She was known to her family by many endearing names, Mama, Nana, Ita and Tita, as well as Glo and Glorita to her countless friends and acquaintances. She rarely met a stranger and welcomed all friends of her children and grandchildren into her home with open and loving arms. She held her family to a high standard and spirit of generosity that she herself passed on to present and future generations of her family. She enjoyed working in her yard and loved to cook, dance and play ball or other games her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved in. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and never missed a televised game. Her three sons attended the University of South Carolina and as a result she became a fan of the Gamecocks. Gloria was dedicated to her church, St. John Neumann Catholic Church, and participated in many church activities along with cooking and serving senior lunches with her dear friend Ana Santana.

Survivors include her husband, Army retired MSG Pedro A. Rosario-Zayas; sons, Jorge D. Rosario (Sandi), Pedro L. Rosario (Cathy); and Edgar G. Rosario (Leeia Graham); grandchildren, Ashley R. Martin (Chris), Alyssa N. Rosario-Crouch (Daniel); Peter Nicholas Rosario, Andrew B. Rosario, Christopher T. Rosario (Adrienne); David C. Rosario (Brea); ten great-grandchildren; siblings, Miguel Angel Garcia, Carmen R. Sueiro, Angel R. Garcia, Elisa I. Garcia, Edda I. Garcia; and a special nephew, Michael Garcia Colon.

In addition to her parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her step mother Elisa Rosa Gonzales de Garcia; her siblings, Luisa I. Garcia, and Jose E. Garcia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 AM, Friday, November 16, 2018 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, with The Rev. Fr. C. Alexander McDonald officiating. Final Commendation and Farewell prayers will be said at Fort Jackson National Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, November 15, 2018 from 6 until 8 PM. Prior to the visitation there will be a Rosary commencement from 5:30 to 6PM, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia.

Serving as pallbearers will be Christopher T. Rosario, David C. Rosario, Peter Nicholas Rosario, Luis Sueiro, Daniel J. Crouch, and Chris Martin.

The children and grandchildren would like to express their deep and sincere appreciation for the extraordinary care and loving, unselfish devotion that "Dad, Bedo" gave to Nana as her health declined over the last six years of her life.

The family would also like to extend their deepest appreciation to the entire staff of the 5th Floor Intensive Care Unit Doctors and Nurses at Palmetto Health Richland, for their unwavering care and support during their mothers' last days.

Memorials may be made to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223