Gladys M. Ponterio, 89, of Ship Bottom passed peacefully on Friday, February 24, 2017. Born in Brooklyn, NY she was a long time resident of Staten Island before relocating to Long Beach Island , NJ and  Marco Island, FL. Gladys was a retired lieutenant of the New York City Traffic Department. She had a deep love for the care and protection of animals, whose companionship she enjoyed immensely, and resulted in her being an active member of The Humane Society. She was a wonderful mother and a very special grandmother. Her door was always open to all, and her favorite pastime were the family gatherings at her house.

Surviving are her two loving daughters and their spouses, Patricia and Glenn Miller, Katherine and Michael Spataro; eight cherished grandchildren, Michael Miller, Christine Miller Luengas, Stephanie Moran, Stacy Miller, Ralph Hagen, Jennifer Hagen, Nicholas Spataro, Philip Spataro; five cherished great grandchildren; her devoted sister, Irene Whaley; her devoted sister-in-law Mary Doyle and many loving nieces and nephews.

Viewing Wed. March 1 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 W. Bay Ave., Barnegat. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday 1 PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Seaford, DE. Interment to follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Laurel, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Humane Society (DonorCare@humanesociety.org) appreciated.

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