Obituary for Gloria Thomas

Gloria Thomas, nee Soulis Broomall, PA
1945-2020

Gloria was born February 20, 1945 in South Philadelphia, PA. As a young girl, she loved school and had a
knack for grammar, becoming the editor of her school paper. She also had a love for dance, particularly tap. Gloria met the love of her life when she was just 16 years old. Sotirios Thomas had aspirations to open a restaurant and the two worked together to make that dream come true. The dynamic couple worked together over nearly five decades building a string of Fiesta Pizza restaurants in and around the Philadelphia area. 

A dedicated mother to her five children, Gloria balanced restaurant business operations with the duties of ferrying her kids to sports practices, games and school events. Gloria was notorious for hosting the family’s epic summer poolside parties, and for being able to whip up a complete spread at a moment’s notice for unexpected guests any time of the year. Her sons, daughters and daughters-in-law continue to keep her legacy alive in replicating the family recipes. 

Gloria and her family have maintained a life-long membership and active presence in the St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church community.

Preceded in death by her parents, Gloria is survived by her husband, along with her five children and their spouses:
Peter and Tamela (Knapp), Maria Galante, Katerina and Thomas Brennan, Gloria and James Rorke, Sotirios and Jennifer (Butler). She is loved as “Yia Yia” by her 11 grandchildren: Katina, Leonard, Katerina, Olivia, Justin, Kyria, Alexia, Demetri, Nikolas, Stella and Sophia.
Surrounded by her family, Gloria ascended into heaven peacefully on March 18 at Bryn Mawr Hospital after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held privately due to current public health concerns. In lieu of flowers, donations are being received in her name at St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA.