Obituary of Gloria Maria Nieto

Gloria (Glo) Nieto died on Sept. 6, 2022 with her loving wife Jo Kenny and beloved animals by her side. Together since 1990, Jo and Glo were among the first same sex couples to marry legally in CA in 2008. Glo was all about her tribe: “Searching my own heart has been a path to find others I want to work with, laugh with, love and rage, support and be in community with.” Glo was born in San Jose, CA to Virgil and Maria Nieto. Her family’s experiences shaped a life of activism. “My mother grew up in a small town in Texas that segregated the Mexicans in schools, public swimming pools, and restaurants. My grandmother wouldn’t accept that life for her children and took them to CA to work in the fields and canneries. My mother became one of the first nurse practitioners in CA. My uncle became, literally, a rocket scientist. All because my grandmother looked for a welcoming community, not just for that day, but for the future.” Glo drew on her grandmother’s strength to advocate for many communities: for transgender-inclusive laws, recognition of immigrants’ contributions, marriage equality, health care access, and much more. A master gardener, ukulele player, host of KSQD’s “Honu Heart” -- and her neighborhood’s biggest kid -- Glo loved animals, nature, sports, and history. Her tribe will miss her laugh. Surviving Glo are spouse Jo Kenny; sister Anna Nieto and family Bruce, Heather, Ryan Frambach; sister-in-law Tamara Nieto and family Tara Alvarez, Andrea Nieto, and Ben Nieto; as well as many first and second cousins. Glo is predeceased by her parents and brother Joseph. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and Santa Cruz Community Health.