Gloria Anne Heyman (Kulesa), 73, passed away at her home on June 25, 2026, following a lengthy illness.
Born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, New York, Gloria grew up in the Syracuse area and briefly attended East Syracuse-Minoa High School. After traveling for a short time, she ultimately made her home in the Thousand Islands, a place she cherished and where she built a life centered on family, resilience, and quiet acts of love.
On October 21, 1971, Gloria married the love of her life, Richard Heyman, at the Episcopal Church in Clayton, New York. Together they built a marriage that endured for nearly 55 years, honoring the vows they made that October day through every joy, every hardship, and every season of life.
Gloria’s life was marked by both joy and hardship. When an unexpected tragedy left Richard permanently disabled, she quietly shouldered the responsibilities of caregiver while raising their daughters and holding her family together. Refusing to let life’s hardships define her family, she returned to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse, building a career in geriatric nursing before later working as a nanny. As an LPN, Gloria became a respected leader among her peers, advocating for better working conditions and fair wages for healthcare workers whose dedication too often went unrecognized. Through every challenge, she met life with resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to those she loved, setting an enduring example of strength, compassion, and selflessness. She showed her daughters the value of education, compassion, and hard work.
Before her illness, Gloria especially loved spending time fishing on the St. Lawrence River with her husband, Richard. She also enjoyed playing BINGO, taking trips to the casino, cheering on Syracuse University basketball, tackling The New York Times crossword puzzle, and making the cheesecake her family looked forward to every holiday.
Above all else, Gloria treasured her family and found her greatest joy in spending time with them, especially her grandchildren, Mariana and Jakob Kraus.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Luzzi Kulesa and Charles Kulesa, and by her brother, Richard Kulesa.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Richard Heyman; her daughters, Cheryl Kraus (Dan Bazile) of Clifton Park and Anne Hodkinson (Mike) of Brantingham Lake; her beloved grandchildren, Mariana and Jakob Kraus; her former son-in-law, Thomas Kraus, father of Mariana and Jakob; her loving mother-in-law, Marie Heyman of Clayton, New York; her brothers, Charles Kulesa and his wife, Christine, of Port Charlotte, Florida, and James Becker of Camillus, New York; her nephew, Anthony Kulesa of Camillus, New York, with whom she shared a particularly close bond; his wife, Julie; their daughter, Erin Kulesa of East Syracuse, New York; her cherished friend and chosen sister, Geraldine Dewey; her brothers-in-law, Michael, Robert ( Jane) , and William (Mary) Heyman, all of Clayton, New York, and their families; as well as many other loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Gloria will be remembered not only for the life she lived, but for the example she set. She was honest and spoke her mind without hesitation, yet beneath that brazen spirit was a tender heart and a kindness that was uniquely her own. She honored her commitments, remained steadfast in her love for others, and was deeply supportive of those she loved, generous to those in need even when she could not afford to be. She taught those around her that strength can be quiet, sacrifice can be joyful, and love is most often found in the ordinary moments—showing up, caring for others, and keeping promises.
Those who knew Gloria will remember her resilience, her unwavering devotion to her family, her quick wit, and the countless ways she cared for the people she loved. Her memory will live on in the family she cherished and in the example she set every day.
In keeping with Gloria’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. She shared with her family how she hoped to be remembered, and they will honor her life in the way she requested.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Gloria’s memory to a memorial fund established to assist with her husband, Richard Heyman’s, ongoing health and medical care: Legacy Care for Richard Heyman, through GoFundMe https://gofund.me/e90619efb, or to the American Kidney Foundation.
Arrangements are with the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton.
Condolences can be made at trjetty.com
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