Obituary of Gloria S. Bederka

Gloria S. Bederka, formerly of Mahwah, NJ and Suffern, NY, died on December 12, 2016, at the age of 82. She was survived by her daughter Anne, son John, their spouses Kathy and Danette, her five grandchildren, and her brother, Richard Sharp and his family. Gloria was predeceased by her husband of almost 40 years, John M. Bederka. During John’s career as a commodities trader, Gloria and John traveled the world, from Africa, to Asia, to Europe, to Central and South America. At home and abroad, Gloria entertained guests from all corners of the globe. After her children were grown, Gloria pursued the education she’d always dreamed of, receiving a B.A. from Ramapo College, an M.S.W. from Fordham University, and a certification from the NJ Psychoanalytic Institute. As a licensed social worker and nationally certified psychoanalyst, Gloria maintained a private practice, counseled troubled youth at Bergen County’s Division of Family Guidance, and provided individual and group therapy for the elderly at the Classic Residence in Teaneck. She will be missed by her family and her dedicated circle of friends, many of whom she had known for decades. The family will be receiving friends and family at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, (vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff on Friday, December 16th from 10 am to 12 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF – K.I.N.D. campaign, which provides desks and scholarships to the schoolchildren of Malawi.