Obituary of Concetta Gagliardi

A life so beautiful lived, deserves to be beautifully remembered Connie grew up in Queens New York, one of 6 children, the daughter of Italian immigrants from Positano, Italy. Devoted wife to her late husband Jerry for 56 years, caring and loving daughter to the late Maria and Renato Durso. Predeceasing her in death are her siblings, Mary (John) Cuccia, Angelina (Henry) Encarnacion, Anna (Louis) Aiello, John Durso & Anthony (Sophie) Durso. Leaves cherished nieces, nephews, friends and cousins . Connie attended Andrew Jackson High School and Browne Business School in Queens, NY. She started her career as a secretary and office manager in the First Investors Corporation in 1949. At the young age of 23, Connie overcame a great obstacle in her life. She suffered from tuberculosis while spending nearly a year hospitalized. Came through it all courageously, and went back to work for First Investors Corporation on Wall Street for over 50 years . Connie’s major accomplishments at First Investors was establishing the Transfer Agent (a company that manages the change in ownership on shares and maintains a register of ownership). After spending over 50 years with this financial asset management and life Insurance company Connie retired as Vice President and Secretary. Connie was truly ahead of her times in the financial industry breaking the glass ceiling and leading woman to powerful roles in American corporations. Connie devoted much of her spare time in later years with the American Business Women’s Association. Dedicated in helping women in her community in awarding scholarship funds for continued education and in enhancing young women’s careers. Because of her dedication she was awarded Woman of the Year Family was Connie & Jerry’s greatest joy. Always reaching out in any way they knew how to be there for you. They would graciously open their home to family and friends over many years to celebrate family, holidays, especially Thanksgiving and special occasions. Connie loved sharing stories of family, faith and our great American way of life