Gloria R. Improta, 88
Apr 9, 2018Improta, 88Gloria Rose Improta of Stamford, one-time owner of the Dairy Queen in Westport, died March 25 at Stamford Hospital. She was 88.She was best known in recent years for working at Mama Carmela’s Deli in Darien, where customers knew her by name and enjoyed her genuine smile and the care she took in catering to them.Her hospitality was her passion as customers, family, and friends were drawn to her engaging personality and resourcefulness. She and her late husband Mario Improta, who met while working at Machlett Laboratories (which went on to become Raytheon) in Stamford in the 50s, combined their desire to build something on their own and bought the Dairy Queen in Westport in the 1970s.It was a brave move they took to support their family of five. They went on to buy and run Mr. Deli in Darien in the 80s and after that worked side by side at Critic’s Choice in Stamford. Gloria never shied away from hard work and ways to expand her skills from computer training at IBM to certification as a nurse’s aide, graduating top of her class.Besides her work, Gloria loved to be creative — sewing curtains for her home as a new bride, baking specialty cakes as well as her famous, delicious butter cookies. She was born in White Plains, New York on Feb. 21, 1930. She recently enjoyed her 88th birthday and was filled with joy on that day. She is survived by her daughters, Mary “Micki” Szeligowski, Joanne Labs, and Lisa Gold. Gloria’s family was her greatest joy including her sons-in-law Raymond Szeligowski, Kerry Gold, and the late Kenneth Labs. She was especially proud of her grandchildren — Jonathan Szeligowski and his wife Sarah, David Szeligowski and Ryan and Noah Gold. In addition, she is survived by her nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, born to her beloved late sister Laura Bonaiuto. She is also survived by her nephew John R. Fasoli and his wife Gretchen. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. with final visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28 at The Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Hom... (Westport Now)
