Gloria A. "Panker" Furlan, 90, died peacefully surrounded by her loving children on May 30, 2017 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness.

She was the wife of the late John G. Panker and the late Robert B. Furlan. She resided at the Alden Court Nursing Home in Fairhaven this past year. Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Lionel and Irene (Langdeau) Benoit, she was a lifelong New Bedford resident before moving to Sol-e-mar in South Dartmouth later in life. She was a devout Catholic and communicant of St. Mary's Church.

Furlan was a 1944 graduate of St. Patrick's Cathedral High School in New York City and went on to receive her Associates degree in Business Services from the Kinyon Campbell Business School. She worked in the administrative offices of the Kay Windsor Corp for many years and was a computer operator for Cornish and Co. Insurance until her retirement in 1992.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and her beloved grandchildren, attending all their many dance recitals, sporting events, and school music concerts. No three-minute performance was too small to make the hour drive for her girls. When not the doting grandma, she could often be found at Foxwoods or Newport Grand Casinos enjoying her favorite playing machines.

She is survived by a son, Alan R. Panker of New Bedford; two daughters, Jo Ann L. McEwen and her husband Douglas of Saunderstown, RI, Nancy L. Duarte and her fiancé James Rizzo of Mattapoisett; four grandchildren, Jay A. Panker of Dartmouth, MA, Lauren E., Kate A., and Riley B. McEwen of Saunderstown; and one great –grandchild, Nathan Panker. She was the sister of the late Herve Benoit. Her visitation will be held Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 8:30 a.m.–9:30a.m. at the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills road, followed by a Funeral Mass at St Mary's Parish at 10 a.m., 783 Dartmouth Street, Dartmouth. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

For tributes and online registration: www.waring-sullivan.com