Gloria Celeste Fratini MontesiMemphis, TNGloria Celeste Fratini Montesi, 91, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2017 after living a beautiful life. She was a loving and happy wife to Joseph Maurice Montesi, devoted mother to four children and doting grandmother to eight grandchildren. She was born on November 6, 1925 to Fred and Augusta Fratini, the second to youngest of seven children and the last surviving sibling. She attended St. Thomas Elementary School and graduated from Scared Heart High School. As a little girl she liked to visit with all of her neighbors and was well known in the neighborhood for spreading kindness. As a young girl she worked for her father in his grocery store. She married Joe in 1949 and they started a family the next year. Gloria's true passions in life were her faith, and her family, raising her children and caring for other family members. She always made time to serve others by volunteering and was a member of Madonna Circle, Circle Arts, Birthday Club, Philomena Guild and Women's Exchange. Gloria loved doing needlepoint, baking, was always up for a game of cards, but her true joy was working in her garden. She loved entertaining, especially if was family, and had the gentle manner of a true southern lady even if she was only serving Tuna salad to her grandchildren beside the pool. She taught her children, mostly by example, how to love God and family deeply, how to work hard, how to be gracious and kind to others and that you are never too good to get your hands dirty. We thank you Mom, and will always be indebted to you for these blessings. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Joseph Montesi and by her siblings. She is survived by her children, Joseph M Montesi Jr. (Martha), Diane Montesi Pettit (Patrick), Camille Montesi Schaeffer (Todd) and Patricia Montesi Ross and by her eight grandchildren, Sean Montesi (Danielle), Elliot Montesi, Braden Schaeffer (Amanda), Phillip Schaeffer, Emily Schaeffer, Rachel Ross, Zachary Ross (Caitlin) and Olivia Ross. Her family would like to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, the wonderful ladies from Ave Maria Homecare who helped care for her around the clock and learned to love her as we do. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to the Poor Clare Sisters, 1310 Dellwood Ave., Memphis, 38127, Ave Maria Home, 2805 Charles Bryan Ave, 38134, or Madonna Circle Blessing Fund, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, Memphis, 38119, or to a . The family will receive friends on Friday, August 11 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue. A rosary will be held following the visitation at 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, August 12 at St. Louis Church at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.