Obituary for Gloria J. Riccobono
Gloria Jean Riccobono died peacefully in her home from leukemia on September 3, 2020.
Gloria was proud to be from Brooklyn, NY, and told wonderful stories about her adventures growing up there. In 1969, she graduated from Bishop Kearney High School, where she served as captain of the varsity basketball team, chair of the student council, and class president several years. In 1973, she earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from American University in Washington, DC.
After working as a restaurant manager for several years, Gloria spent the second half of her life, 35 years, as a dedicated employee of Tufts University, reinventing herself in three distinctly different roles: first in Dining on the Medford/Somerville campus; then in the Budget Department at the Veterinary School in Grafton; and finally as a business analyst in the Tufts Technology Services Department creating and then maintaining the ubiquitous Student Information System for faculty, staff, and students in Boston and Somerville. She leaves behind many colleagues and friends.
Gloria lived in Cambridge before moving to Arlington, where she lived for over two decades. She was frequently seen walking her two standard poodles, Hannah and Leo (who preceded her in death) around the neighborhood. More recently, friends and neighbors in the heights knew her by sight as she walked her rescued poodle, Charlie, and kept track of the turkey rafters and other wildlife on their walks around town.
Gloria loved to travel and visit friends internationally, especially in France and Germany. She was an excellent cook and shared her memorable meals with friends and family. She loved the outdoors, preferring Fall and Winter, enjoyed puzzles (the more pieces and monochromatic the better), movies, and talking about current events and politics. Gloria was an avid reader, golfer, hiker, and bicyclist. She biked many road races and fundraisers over four decades and led and joined bike tours across Europe.
Gloria is survived by her sister (Joanne Baglieri), step sister (Geraldine Gerardi), step brother (Joseph Gerardi), their spouses, children, grandchildren, and her beloved dog (Charlie). Gloria also had many close friends and neighbors who remember her fondly and will miss her dearly.
Gloria was proud to be from Brooklyn, NY, and told wonderful stories about her adventures growing up there. In 1969, she graduated from Bishop Kearney High School, where she served as captain of the varsity basketball team, chair of the student council, and class president several years. In 1973, she earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from American University in Washington, DC.
After working as a restaurant manager for several years, Gloria spent the second half of her life, 35 years, as a dedicated employee of Tufts University, reinventing herself in three distinctly different roles: first in Dining on the Medford/Somerville campus; then in the Budget Department at the Veterinary School in Grafton; and finally as a business analyst in the Tufts Technology Services Department creating and then maintaining the ubiquitous Student Information System for faculty, staff, and students in Boston and Somerville. She leaves behind many colleagues and friends.
Gloria lived in Cambridge before moving to Arlington, where she lived for over two decades. She was frequently seen walking her two standard poodles, Hannah and Leo (who preceded her in death) around the neighborhood. More recently, friends and neighbors in the heights knew her by sight as she walked her rescued poodle, Charlie, and kept track of the turkey rafters and other wildlife on their walks around town.
Gloria loved to travel and visit friends internationally, especially in France and Germany. She was an excellent cook and shared her memorable meals with friends and family. She loved the outdoors, preferring Fall and Winter, enjoyed puzzles (the more pieces and monochromatic the better), movies, and talking about current events and politics. Gloria was an avid reader, golfer, hiker, and bicyclist. She biked many road races and fundraisers over four decades and led and joined bike tours across Europe.
Gloria is survived by her sister (Joanne Baglieri), step sister (Geraldine Gerardi), step brother (Joseph Gerardi), their spouses, children, grandchildren, and her beloved dog (Charlie). Gloria also had many close friends and neighbors who remember her fondly and will miss her dearly.