Slingerlands - Gloria Joy (Meisner) Roland, beautiful and talented in song and dance, who at age 20 chose marriage and family over a performing career, died peacefully in her sleep at the Eddy/Beverwyck in Slingerlands on August 3, 2024. She was 100.

Gloria was born in New York City in 1924 to Samuel and Anna Meisner. She graduated from Hunter College High School for gifted students and was attending college when a new acquaintance asked her out for a sail in his small wooden sloop out of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. George and Gloria married in 1944 and sons Keith and Michael soon followed. In 1949 they moved north to Colonie to raise their family far from the buzzing city. Gloria filled their home with the aroma of wonderful food, the laughter of many friends, and the sweet sounds of her piano and unbelievably beautiful voice. During these years Gloria played golf at Shaker Ridge Country Club, winning the club championship several times. She also parlayed her musical talents into co-writing, directing, and starring in numerous musical productions at Shaker Ridge and Temple Beth Emeth in Albany.

Dedicated to family, Gloria waited until her boys were in high school before returning to college at Russell Sage to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in language education. Fluent in French and Spanish, she went on to teach both languages for two decades in the South Colonie School District. As a lifelong Francophile, Gloria took great joy in chaperoning her students on memorable trips to Paris as a complement to classroom study. Her travels were not restricted to school trips however, and along with George and in-laws Jack and Lillian Roland, she took great pleasure in traveling the world.

Gloria charmed and impressed all who knew her. Artist (painting), pianist, singer, dancer, actress, teacher, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother—she led a rich and creative life always in pursuit of culture, beauty, and adventure. Gloria lived with grace, passion, and love and is deeply missed.

George, Gloria’s husband of 60 years, passed on in 2005, and she is also predeceased by her older brother, Murray and younger sister, Phillis. She is survived by her sister, Vicki Meisner; her two sons, Keith and Michael; daughters-in-law, Susan Novotny and Lynn Rothenberg (Finley); grandsons, Ethan and Sean; step-grandsons, David and Alex; great-granddaughters, Ayyah and Mareyla; step great-granddaughter, Harper; and step great-grandson, Micah.

Special thanks go to Robin, Joanne and all the staff at the Eddy/Beverwyck Nursing Home where Gloria lived since 2020. Thanks also to Antonietta Raric, longtime aide for Gloria in the years prior to the Eddy.

The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. They ask that anyone wishing to make a donation in Gloria’s memory consider the Jewish National Fund in support of their philanthropic work supporting families recovering from the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. In addition, Gloria was a proud supporter of Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women.