Gloria J. Ciarrocchi
December 27, 1941 ~ November 24, 2024
Born in:
Steubenville, OH
Resided in:
West Liberty and Weirton, WV
Gloria Ciarrocchi, 82, of West Liberty, WV, and Weirton, WV, passed away on Sunday November 24, 2024, at Grace Cottages.
Born on December 27, 1941, Gloria was the eldest of three children born to Trent J. and Helen Czerepak Ciarrocchi.
A proud member of the first graduating class of Weirton Madonna High School in 1959, Gloria’s passion for education and service led her to West Liberty State College, where she became a dental hygienist. She further advanced her education, earning a master’s degree from West Virginia University. Gloria enjoyed a long and fulfilling career, working for numerous dentists in the Pittsburgh area and for the University of Tennessee before dedicating 30 years as an instructor in the dental hygiene program at West Liberty State College.
Gloria’s impact was deeply felt by her students, many of whom cherished her as “Mrs. Williamson” or “G.W. as she was affectionately known to her students. Her dedication to education and her compassionate teaching style earned her lasting respect and admiration. She was always working in the best interests of her students and wanted them to succeed.
Beyond her professional life, Gloria had a profound love for animals. Her cherished Rottweilers and Boston Terriers were her constant companions, and her passion for animal welfare inspired her volunteer work at the Wheeling Animal Shelter.
She was a woman of faith, nourishing her spirituality at Saint Joseph the Worker Church in Weirton and Saint Vincent de Paul Church in Wheeling.
In her later years, as her health declined, Gloria moved to Grace Cottage at Serra Village in Weirton, where she spent her recent years.
In addition to her parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her beloved brothers, Trent J. Ciarrocchi, Jr., who passed on November 24, 1968, and David J. Ciarrocchi, who passed on January 12, 1994.
Gloria will be remembered for her dedication to her profession, her unwavering love for animals, her faith, and the countless dental hygienists she taught over three decades.
She is survived by her cousins, Janice and Bob Sharpe, Mary and Jim Elco, and Ray Martinelli; her close friends, Stacey and Pete Nichols; and her Goddaughter, Emma Nichols
A visitation will be held on Monday December 2, 2024, from 11 AM until her Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Weirton.
Rev. Fr. Tony Thurston will preside.
Interment will follow at Saint Paul’s Cemetery, Weirton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Weirton Madonna High School 150 Michael Way Weirton, WV 26062
Gloria’s family would like to thank the caregivers of Serra Village’s Grace Cottage and Valley Hospice for all the love and care they provided for Gloria.
Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Gloria J. Ciarrocchi 's name.
I had the honor of being one of her students. Great respect for her.
I worked with Gloria, a.k.a. Gogi, for 13 years at the dental hygiene school at West Liberty. We became very good friends and eventually neighbors, and when I moved to California, we still kept in touch every year. She was one of a kind and taught me a lot. God bless her family.
I have an image of Gloria’s parents dancing together as they welcome their third child to join their heavely home. The Ciarrocchi family served as a model of grace and strength in my youth, and though I did not know Gloria well, I know she was loved by her cousins, expecially my good friend, Janice, who assumed responsiblity for her care when she could not care for herself. Gloria’s impact on the hundreds of hygenists she trained and on the animals who won her affection are two of many reasons to celebrate her life.
Gogi was an extremely dedicated instructor and she made me a better hygienist. She brought a smile & a wicked sense of humor to Clinic.
RIP Gog
Jody Trupiano Gerbo