Gloria Barbara (DesGranges) Sao Bento

Gloria Barbara (DesGranges) Sao Bento, 93, of East Greenwich, RI, passed away on June 23, 2026, surrounded by her family. A woman of deep faith, Gloria lived a life filled with love and happiness.

Born in Johnston, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of the late Felix and Eva (Meunier) DesGranges. She spent 35 years living in East Providence before making her home in East Greenwich. 

A graduate of St. Francis Xavier's Academy, Gloria enjoyed a career as a dental assistant and later as a sales representative for Providence Wholesale Drug. She was member of numerous club and organizations throughout her life, including the Rhode Island Dental Society, the Portuguese Cultural Association, the American Heart Association, the Academy of Wine, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the Brown Faculty Club, and as a sponsor to several foreign officers attending the Naval War College in Newport. She also served as a Brownie leader, sharing her time and talents with young people in her community.

In 1966, Gloria married the late Judge Antonio Sao Bento. Gloria fully embraced her husband's Portuguese heritage and culture. Her family lovingly teased her for trying to converse in Portuguese with the fifteen words she knew, but that never stopped her from joining in every conversation with enthusiasm, confidence, and a smile.

A devoted Catholic throughout her life, Gloria was a communicant of St. Martha's Church and later St. Gregory the Great Church. At St. Gregory's, she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Consolation Committee. 

Gloria loved life and all it had to offer. Her favorite pastime was dining out and savoring a glass of Chardonnay. She found great enjoyment in travel, cooking, charitable endeavors, playing the piano, and entertaining family and friends. Gloria also treasured spending her summers at her beach house on the Kickemuit River in Bristol, one of her favorite places to relax. She was especially known for her stuffed quahogs and red chowder.  

In her later years, Gloria found companionship and happiness with Ray Meyer. Together they shared nearly eleven wonderful years filled with laughter, travel, family celebrations, and holidays. Ray became a cherished part of the Sao Bento family, and their time together brought Gloria great joy.

She is survived by her children, Kris Sao Bento and husband Terrance Price, of Coventry, and Steven Sao Bento and wife Leda, of Riverside. She was the proud grandmother of Christian, Bruce, and Marisa, who were truly the loves of her life. Nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her grandchildren and celebrating their accomplishments.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Raymond, Louis, and Russell DesGranges.

Gloria will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, sense of humor, strong faith, and her ability to make everyone feel welcome. Her legacy lives on through the family she cherished and the many lives she touched.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday July 1, 2026, at 8:00am from the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, 901 Broadway, East Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Martha Church,2595 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Calling hours are Wednesday MORNING from 8:00-9:30am in the Rebello Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hope Alzheimer's Center, 25 Brayton Avenue, Cranston, RI,02920 or HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI ,02904.

www.rebellofuneralhomes.com.

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