Big Love. The words that best describe the embracing light and expansive spirit of Gloria Rossi Menedes, who lived her life with the fierce determination of a truly evolved soul. She was an extraordinary healer, a generous host, talented performer, loyal friend, devoted mother to her children Thea and Alexei, and supportive wife to her husband George Menedes.
Santa Barbara residents who know their history will note that Gloria was born on Pearl Chase’s birthday, and she was very proud of that connection with another strong Scorpio, determined to leave a mark and make this a better place to live without wasting a moment’s time. In mythological terms, Pearl was a modern-day Minerva, engaged in art and commerce and community affairs, while Gloria was a latter-day Hestia in her time here, largely focused on home and hearth, raising a family, extending her gracious hospitality into the community, as a restaurateur, and as an accomplished actress with a triumphant return to the stage in a local production of The Rose Tattoo.
During her childhood, father Tony Rossi was the two-term mayor of Millbrae, CA; he passed his Italian passion and persuasive leadership skills on to his daughter. She grew up confident, strong and bright, with the drive to use her God-given gifts to meet every challenge, achieve every dream. Smart as a whip, she pursued her education throughout her life, exploring her creative interests without regard to geographic boundaries. She studied drama at Syracuse University; Italian at the University of Padua in Italy; traditional Chinese medicine at the Santa Barbara College of Traditional Chinese Medicine; drama and the classics at Royal Holloway, University of London.