Obituary for Gloria Dossena (Gleeson)
Gloria Gleeson Dossena - loving wife, dedicated mother, compassionate sister, and devoted
grandmother - passed away on June 20, 2022 at her home in Harwich, MA surrounded by her
family after a battle with cancer. She was 73 years old.
Gloria was the daughter of David and Anna Marie Gleeson. She is survived by her husband of
50 years, Joseph Peter Dossena; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Jelena Dossena;
daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Matthew Duerr; sister, AnnMarie Black; four grandchildren -
Andrew and Abigail Dossena, and Jeffrey and Brian Duerr.
Gloria was born in New York and went to Mary Mount Manhattan College. Gloria and Joseph
were married in August 1971 at St. Andrew Avellino Church in Flushing, New York. They started
their family in Queens and later moved to Mohegan Lake, New York to raise their children,
Christopher and Julie. While working, Gloria earned her Master’s degree in Education from
Fordham University. Teaching children was her passion. She devoted 26 years of her life as an
elementary school teacher at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Shrub Oak, New York. When
she retired, she and Joseph moved to their new home in Harwich, MA. There, Gloria enjoyed
her many hobbies. She was active in the Harwich Woman’s Club and the Holy Redeemer Ladies
Guild. She joined the Harwich Newcomer’s Club where she discussed books and socialized with
friends. She participated in the knitting club, Knit Lit, eagerly working on her projects and
sharing her talent with those new to the craft. But what Gloria cherished the most - her
favorite “pastime” - was being a grandma. She adored her wonderful grandchildren, Andrew,
Jeffrey, Brian and Abigail. Whether it was watching them play baseball, learning to cook, or
skating in the ice arena – they were her heart and soul.
Gloria loved her life and will be forever remembered for her loving smile, sense of humor and
endearing spirit. A Catholic Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, July 7,
2022 at Holy Redeemer Church, 57 Highland Ave, Chatham, MA 02633. Entombment will
follow at Holy Trinity Columbarium, 246 Main St. (Route 28), West Harwich. In leu of flowers,
memorials may be made in Gloria’s memory to the Cape Cod Health Care Foundation/VNA
Hospice.
grandmother - passed away on June 20, 2022 at her home in Harwich, MA surrounded by her
family after a battle with cancer. She was 73 years old.
Gloria was the daughter of David and Anna Marie Gleeson. She is survived by her husband of
50 years, Joseph Peter Dossena; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Jelena Dossena;
daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Matthew Duerr; sister, AnnMarie Black; four grandchildren -
Andrew and Abigail Dossena, and Jeffrey and Brian Duerr.
Gloria was born in New York and went to Mary Mount Manhattan College. Gloria and Joseph
were married in August 1971 at St. Andrew Avellino Church in Flushing, New York. They started
their family in Queens and later moved to Mohegan Lake, New York to raise their children,
Christopher and Julie. While working, Gloria earned her Master’s degree in Education from
Fordham University. Teaching children was her passion. She devoted 26 years of her life as an
elementary school teacher at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Shrub Oak, New York. When
she retired, she and Joseph moved to their new home in Harwich, MA. There, Gloria enjoyed
her many hobbies. She was active in the Harwich Woman’s Club and the Holy Redeemer Ladies
Guild. She joined the Harwich Newcomer’s Club where she discussed books and socialized with
friends. She participated in the knitting club, Knit Lit, eagerly working on her projects and
sharing her talent with those new to the craft. But what Gloria cherished the most - her
favorite “pastime” - was being a grandma. She adored her wonderful grandchildren, Andrew,
Jeffrey, Brian and Abigail. Whether it was watching them play baseball, learning to cook, or
skating in the ice arena – they were her heart and soul.
Gloria loved her life and will be forever remembered for her loving smile, sense of humor and
endearing spirit. A Catholic Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, July 7,
2022 at Holy Redeemer Church, 57 Highland Ave, Chatham, MA 02633. Entombment will
follow at Holy Trinity Columbarium, 246 Main St. (Route 28), West Harwich. In leu of flowers,
memorials may be made in Gloria’s memory to the Cape Cod Health Care Foundation/VNA
Hospice.