Gloria M. Pitt, a longtime resident of Port Washington, died peacefully at the home of her daughter in McLean, VA, on July 16. She was 90 years old.
Gloria was born on Nov. 19, 1924, in Bayside, NY. She was married for 46 years to William Ray Pitt III, and they were the most graceful of dance partners until his death in 1992. She was predeceased by her mother, Katherine Murphy Igoe, her father, Herbert “Hype” Igoe, (celebrated illustrator and sports writer for the New York American), her sister Jaunita Coon, her brother Jack Igoe, and her son William Ray Pitt IV. She is survived by her son David Pitt (Fred Goldstein) of Hollywood, CA, her daughter, Janice Pitt Fitzgibbon (Timothy) of McLean, and her grandchildren, Colin William and Cathryn Gloria Fitzgibbon.
Gloria took great pride in her volunteer work at St. Francis Hospital. Over 25 years, she logged nearly 13,000 volunteer hours and was fondly referred to as “The General,” due in part to the 26 gold “Volunteer Award Bars” she wore on her uniform. Even after her eyesight was diminished by macular degeneration, Gloria navigated the halls guided by the colors of the floor tiles, and she put thousands of patients at ease in the process.
As the daughter of a sports writer, Gloria loved language in all of its forms, including political debates, crossword puzzles, conversations with patients and stories that improved with each retelling. She loved to dance, which she continued to do until shortly before her death. She never met a stranger, as could be attested to by the Amtrak passengers she encountered on trips to McLean until she moved there two years ago.
A graveside service was held on July 24 at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to St. Francis Heart Hospital at www.stfrancisheartcenter.com.
