On January 2, 2012, Gloria Galatie Bennett, died in Bridgeport Hospital, after a miraculously strong battle with pneumonia. Born on March 3, 1930 in Bridgeport to the late John and Mary (Ruffo) Galatie, Gloria was pre-deceased by her husband of 49 years, Merton H. Bennett, sisters Antoinette Galatie Kotelsky, and Theresa Galatie Capozzi, brothers John and Anthony Galatie. Gloria, (or Auntie LA, as she was affectionately called by nieces and nephews who could not pronounce Gloria as toddlers) was her name but not who she was. Her identity, what comprised and sustained her, was her children. Every tear of Gloria's was not hers, but her son's tear after not making the basketball team, or a girl breaking his heart. Every smile of Gloria's was not hers, but her son's smile after being accepted to his college, or winning a lead part in his play. Gloria's being, her emotions, her breath, was her children. She was love, and made her children understand what selfless, all consuming love felt like. Gloria is survived by her two sons John R. Bennett III, and David J. Bennett and his Erika, her twin brother Joseph Galatie, and brother Richard Galatie, and many nieces and nephews, and cousins that felt like her own. Finally, although Gloria only got to love him for only 15 months, is her first grandson Beau Bennett, who gently patted her arm as she left for the hospital. "Mommy, is only half now…. John's heart and mine." Funeral services will take place on Thursday January 5th at 10:30 a.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford, and at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Church Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:30 –10:30 a.m.