Gloria Sexton entered into eternal life on Sunday, November 20, 2016 with her daughter and son at her side. She was 87 years old.

Born on August 19, 1929 in the Ocean Breeze section of Staten Island, she was raised there and resided in Avenel for many years before moving to Manchester Township 4 years ago.

Gloria loved to swim in the Atlantic Ocean just hundreds of feet from the home she grew up in.

She worked as a nurse's aide from 1946 until 1948 at Halloran Hospital in Staten Island aiding disabled and recovering veterans of World War II. During that time she met and married her husband, James J. Sexton. In 1968 and 1969 she worked in the cafeteria at Avenel Middle School; and throughout the 1990's she volunteered at Saint Joseph's Senior Citizens Home in Woodbridge.

Gloria was a wonderful and caring mother whose life revolved around her grandchildren, Deanna and Stephen. She was deeply loved by all who knew her.

She was predeceased by her parents, William and Eva Novakovich; husband, James; and brothers, Daniel and Robert.

Surviving are her children, Stephen, of Avenel and Charlotte of Manchester; her two grandchildren, Stephen and Deanna, of Avenel; and many nieces and nephews in New York and Louisiana.

The family wishes to acknowledge the outstanding care and compassion provided to Gloria by the staff at Monmouth Medical Center in Lakewood.

At the family's request funeral services will be private under the direction of Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, Avenel.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Central Baptist Church, 505 Wylie Street, Avenel, NJ 07001 in Gloria's memory would be greatly appreciated by the family.