Obituary for Margarita L. Gagliardi
Margarita’s journey in this life started 6/26/1949 and ended on 12/11/19. She was born and raised in Lima, Peru by her two wonderful parents, Jorge Andrade and Lenor (Roggero) Andrade. Margarita was educated at Santa Margarita and then attended college at Hallifax, Canada. After college she married Santi Gagliardi and from that union, they had three wonderful children – Angela, Fabiola, and Manuel. Margarita and Santi established their home in Springfield where they have been now for 48 years. Margarita moved her mother into her home where she took care of her for 32 years. In 1982, they became citizens of the United States.
When Margarita lived in Peru, she was a flight attendant for Peruvian Airlines. But she had to stop doing that job when she married Santi, as flight attendants were not allowed to be married at that time. When in Springfield, she worked for Zenith for 5 years but then stopped that job when she had her second child. She then had a third child and when he was 10 years old, she went back to work at Mercy Hospital, where she worked for 25 years.
Margarita was very active in the Catholic Church, where she participated in various organizations, such as; Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, St. Vincent de Paul, Prison Ministry with the Federal Medical Center, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Pre-Marital Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Missouri Against the Death Penalty. She was also instrumental in the starting of “The Kitchen,” Joshua House, Harmony House (was Hope House) and Pennies for Peru. She was also one of the founding members of Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and was very active in that congregation, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, visited members in the Nursing Homes and worked on the Altar Guild (aka Heavenly Dusters).
When asked what has kept her going for her lifetime, she states, “My relationship with Jesus has been my main focus throughout my life and my family. I have followed the Cursillo teachings – to learn about Jesus and his teaching. My life has been about being a better person because that is what I think God is asking us to be – to listen to Him and practice what He teaches. The more I learn about Jesus Christ, the more I can practice what He teaches. I think this is what we are lacking in this world today.”
Margarita then says, “My battle with cancer has been quite a journey – learning about myself and the relationship I have with others. It has involved a lot of prayer, learning, listening and believing that I must live my life to the fullest every day. When you have a healthy mind and body, they work together. But when you have cancer that connection is gone.”
Margarita was diagnosed with cancer on January 15th, 2008. She would like to thank her family and friends for being by her side for so many years throughout her battle. She also wants to thank her church family for the support they have given her during this time. Margarita states she has learned many things about herself while dealing with her cancer, but the most important thing is : “I have cancer. I am not my cancer. I am not changing my personality because of cancer.”
Margarita is preceded in death by both of her parents, Jorge Andrade and Leonor Roggero as well as both of her grandparents, Alejandro Roggero and Mariana Pena de Roggero. She is also preceded in death by her fourth child that she miscarried and her granddaughter, Harper Mae Ramsey and 3 angel grandbabies.
Margarita leaves behind her spouse, Santi and their 3 children, Angela Ramsey (and Joe), Fabiola Gagliardi, Manuel Gagliardi (and Kaylea); her grandchildren, Brady Ramsey, Chloe Ramsey, Emily Boyer, and Elena Gaglardi. She also leaves behind her two brothers, Jorge Andrade (Lillian), nephews Christian (Misti) & Lorenzo; Jose “Pepe” Andrade (Patricia) nephews Nicolas & Arturo, nieces Melissa & Alessandra; two sisters, Elsa Zamorano (Walter) nephews Jose Antonio & Javier & niece Esmeralda; Zoila Benezra (Jimmy) as well as so many more family members and friends who she considered family.
Margarita asks that we rejoice at her death – it should be a happy time. She is gone to meet her Lord and Savior. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy …the Lord was my support. He brought me into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18: 16-19)
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, December 13th, 2019 with Stations of the Cross starting at 7:00 pm, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church; 2200 W. Republic Road Springfield, MO 65807.
A Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, December 14th, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, with Most Reverend John J. Leibrecht celebrant. Services are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield, MO.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) 321 Columbus Ave, Suite 5R, Boston MA 02116.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com
When Margarita lived in Peru, she was a flight attendant for Peruvian Airlines. But she had to stop doing that job when she married Santi, as flight attendants were not allowed to be married at that time. When in Springfield, she worked for Zenith for 5 years but then stopped that job when she had her second child. She then had a third child and when he was 10 years old, she went back to work at Mercy Hospital, where she worked for 25 years.
Margarita was very active in the Catholic Church, where she participated in various organizations, such as; Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, St. Vincent de Paul, Prison Ministry with the Federal Medical Center, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Pre-Marital Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Missouri Against the Death Penalty. She was also instrumental in the starting of “The Kitchen,” Joshua House, Harmony House (was Hope House) and Pennies for Peru. She was also one of the founding members of Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and was very active in that congregation, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, visited members in the Nursing Homes and worked on the Altar Guild (aka Heavenly Dusters).
When asked what has kept her going for her lifetime, she states, “My relationship with Jesus has been my main focus throughout my life and my family. I have followed the Cursillo teachings – to learn about Jesus and his teaching. My life has been about being a better person because that is what I think God is asking us to be – to listen to Him and practice what He teaches. The more I learn about Jesus Christ, the more I can practice what He teaches. I think this is what we are lacking in this world today.”
Margarita then says, “My battle with cancer has been quite a journey – learning about myself and the relationship I have with others. It has involved a lot of prayer, learning, listening and believing that I must live my life to the fullest every day. When you have a healthy mind and body, they work together. But when you have cancer that connection is gone.”
Margarita was diagnosed with cancer on January 15th, 2008. She would like to thank her family and friends for being by her side for so many years throughout her battle. She also wants to thank her church family for the support they have given her during this time. Margarita states she has learned many things about herself while dealing with her cancer, but the most important thing is : “I have cancer. I am not my cancer. I am not changing my personality because of cancer.”
Margarita is preceded in death by both of her parents, Jorge Andrade and Leonor Roggero as well as both of her grandparents, Alejandro Roggero and Mariana Pena de Roggero. She is also preceded in death by her fourth child that she miscarried and her granddaughter, Harper Mae Ramsey and 3 angel grandbabies.
Margarita leaves behind her spouse, Santi and their 3 children, Angela Ramsey (and Joe), Fabiola Gagliardi, Manuel Gagliardi (and Kaylea); her grandchildren, Brady Ramsey, Chloe Ramsey, Emily Boyer, and Elena Gaglardi. She also leaves behind her two brothers, Jorge Andrade (Lillian), nephews Christian (Misti) & Lorenzo; Jose “Pepe” Andrade (Patricia) nephews Nicolas & Arturo, nieces Melissa & Alessandra; two sisters, Elsa Zamorano (Walter) nephews Jose Antonio & Javier & niece Esmeralda; Zoila Benezra (Jimmy) as well as so many more family members and friends who she considered family.
Margarita asks that we rejoice at her death – it should be a happy time. She is gone to meet her Lord and Savior. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy …the Lord was my support. He brought me into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18: 16-19)
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, December 13th, 2019 with Stations of the Cross starting at 7:00 pm, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church; 2200 W. Republic Road Springfield, MO 65807.
A Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, December 14th, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, with Most Reverend John J. Leibrecht celebrant. Services are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield, MO.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) 321 Columbus Ave, Suite 5R, Boston MA 02116.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com