Obituary of Gloria F. Coppola

Gloria F. (Giordano) Coppola, 95, formerly of Reading, died unexpectedly at the age of 95 on August 6th.  Gloria was the daughter of the late Thomas and Louise (Marchese) Giordano. She was born and raised in Everett, MA and attended Everett Public Schools.

While in high school Gloria was a country western singer and champion yodeler who had her own radio show on WCOP, a Boston station. She was known and marketed as ‘The little girl with the big voice”. Gloria often wondered what would have happened if her parents let her go to Hollywood at age 15 to pursue her musical career.

After graduation Gloria worked as an administrative assistant to the president of Bunny Bear, Inc., a manufacturer for baby furniture.  Gloria commuted to work on a bus each day. During one of those commutes, a handsome Anthony Coppola spotted her and said to himself ‘that is the girl I am going to marry’.  Anthony rode the same bus route for weeks hoping to spot Gloria again.  Finally, one day he did and after much persuasion Gloria went on a date with Anthony.  Soon thereafter she realized that Anthony was the love of her life.  They married on September 23, 1951 and soon moved all the way to Reading.  They remained together for 62 years until Anthony’s passing in 2014.

 After 13 years of marriage, they finally had their ‘pride and joy’, their daughter Lori. During Lori’s formative years Gloria was a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed doing crafts of all kinds and always being the classroom mother.  She loved cooking and baking and loved hosting house parties.  In fact, Gloria was an accomplished cake decorator and always placed in the top 3 in competitions.  Gloria also enjoyed bowling and badminton.

Gloria did go back to work as an administrative assistant at MetLife.  She loved working there and had many close friends.  In 1991, Gloria took on the role as mother-in-law to William and often referred to him as the ‘son I never had’.  Gloria was a true wife, mother, and mother-in-law. But her favorite role was that of Grandma. Gloria loved spending time with Molly and always brought her “special surprises.”

Upon retirement, they took trips to Italy, California, Florida and many trips to the Beacon Resort in New Hampshire. They often said the Island of Capri was the most beautiful spot in the world.

Gloria was predeceased by her husband Anthony and her sister Marjorie Ann.  She is survived by her daughter Lori Hayes and her husband William of Burlington, her granddaughter Molly and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the Winchester Rehabilitation and Nursing Center staff and caregivers who took tremendous care of Gloria for the past six and a half years.

Relatives and Friends are invited to visiting hours at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Friday morning, August 15 from 9:00-11:00 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main St., Woburn at 11:30 am.  Interment will be at the Charles Lawn Cemetery in Reading.

In lieu of flowers donations in Gloria’s memory could be made to Saint Charles School, 8 Myrtle St., Woburn, MA 01801 (www.saintcharleswoburn.com)