Gloria Lorraine McDermott
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Gloria's obituary
Gloria Lorraine McDermott, known to all as an angel here on earth, and was called home by our Heavenly Father on September 12, 2025, at the age of 93.
Born on July 5th, 1932 in Newburgh, New York to Camille and Charles Sellitti, Gloria was raised in a warm and loving Italian Catholic family. The faith instilled in her as a child was a guiding light throughout her life. The youngest of six siblings, she was affectionately known as “the caboose.” Gloria graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and went on to earn a degree in nursing from Fordham University Hospital. She faithfully served the Lord as a nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh, New York. It was during this time that she met a handsome Airforce fighter pilot, Donald James McDermott. Don had prayed, “Lord, find me a good wife,” and two weeks later, his prayers were answered and the two met. Gloria married her knight-in-shining armour on Feb 15th, 1958 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Newburgh.
One year later, they embarked on their life’s journey together, driving Don’s 1956 Volkswagen bug across the country, to California. Here they created a beautiful family. They had three boys; Charles, Michael and Timothy. They prayed faithfully, and ten years later, they welcomed their long-awaited for little girl, Anne-Marie.
Gloria was the heart of the home. While Don frequently traveled as a pilot for United Airlines, Glora held down the fort on Bobbyboyar Avenue. It was in this home, over 63 years, that they created their legacy together. Together, they lived their faith. Don and Gloria were founding members of St. Bernardine’s of Sienna Catholic Church and were involved with the Marriage Encounter movement. Gloria also served in Campus Ministry for many years at Chaminade College Preparatory, where she touched the hearts of many families.
Her family was her source of joy. She had a tremendous sense of humor and we always loved hearing all of her stories about growing up in Newberg with all the shenanigans that took place in her large Italian family. She carried her family’s traditions of faith and fun forward. Gloria’s dedication to Our Blessed Mother was the guide for her actions. Her capacity for loving was boundless, and her love extended well beyond the walls of their home. She would take anyone in and everyone was treated as family. Friends would always come over to the house, and mom would make them something to eat or include them at our dinner table. Anyone who has entered the McDermott home knows the smell of Gloria’s kitchen. Italian food and Christmas cookies were her language of love. She loved to laugh and throw a party, everyone was welcome. She knew how to make each one of us feel as if we were the most important, most loved.
She will be missed terribly, but we as a family are so happy and relieved that she is now home with God, once again whole.
A few days prior to her death, she said to Don, “I am going to a big party!” There can be no doubt that her entire family was there waiting for her with a very joyous welcome in Heaven; reuniting with all of her brothers and sisters, as well as her mother and father, grandparents, and old friends. She is now free and will continue looking out for all of us still here as that is her nature.
Gloria is survived by her devoted husband, Don, her four children and their spouses, Charles McDermott, Dr. Michael and Stephanie McDermott, Timothy and Sue McDermott, and Anne-Marie Meeks. Additionally, Gloria is survived by her 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Grammy spoiled us all, our hearts overflow with her legacy of love and laughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
https://www.stjude.org/donate…
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