Gloria Guarino Cardillo, currently residing at Ashlar Village, Wallingford, CT, formerly a resident of Hamden, CT, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, at the age of 95. She has been reunited with the love of her life, Louis J. Cardillo. Gloria was born in New Haven, CT to her loving parents, Luigi Antonio and Philomena D’Andrea Guarino. In addition to Louis and her parents, Gloria was predeceased by her brother, Anthony Guarino, and sisters Marianne Birkler, Helen Dautrich, Rita Ackers, Lynn Mazza, Jeanne McFarland, and Barbara Gloria Guarino. Gloria graduated from New Haven State Teachers College (now known as Southern Connecticut State University), with a degree in Library Science. It is also where the petite librarian caught the attention of the college’s basketball captain, Louis Cardillo. Gloria and Louis enjoyed a treasured life together, traveling the country and Europe (especially Italy), attending the ballet, theatre, and the opera. Experiences they so generously shared with their many nieces and nephews. Gloria loved hosting her family and friends, for holidays and impromptu visits. She adored children and would always take pleasure in giving thoughtful gifts to her students and the neighborhood children. She loved the arts, and later in life took up photography. Most of all she was a devout Catholic, with a deep devotion to St, Francis of Assisi. Gloria is survived by numerous cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends and loyal caregivers. Among these are her devoted adopted family, Michael and Erika Forte and their children. Gloria will always be her great nephew, Oliver’s, Guardian Angel. We will all greatly miss her sweet smile, generous spirit and self-determination. Friends are asked to go directly to Blessed Sacrament Church Wednesday February 25th at 10 am for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. Gloria has requested no flowers, In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital, ( www.stjude.org ) 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, OR American Parkinsons of CT ( https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/connecticut/ways-to-give-ct/donate/ ) PO Box 248 Shelton, CT 06484