Obituary of Gloria S. Ferreira

Gloria S. Ferreira, of Billerica, formerly of Burlington and New Bedford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2024.  She was 97 years old.  Gloria was born in New Bedford to Portuguese immigrants, Jose and Gloria Madeira.  She was a graduate of New Bedford High School then earned her nursing degree from Massachusetts General Hospital in 1948.  She worked at Choate Hospital as the Head Surgical Nurse in the Operating Room for most of her career.  She loved the many challenges presented in the operating room and the ability to connect with patients in a way that doctors aren't always able to. 

Gloria and her husband Tony grew up only blocks away from each other.  They married in 1950 and eventually settled in Burlington in 1960 to raise their family.  They loved dancing and often frequented the Band Box in Billerica to tear up the dance floor with their friends.  They also loved to go on family vacations which were often at Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven Massachusetts.  She had an incredible bond with her sister, Norma.  They talked multiple times a week up until her final days.  Norma “Tia” and her family would travel to her sisters for Christmas which always made that holiday more special. 

Gloria, or “Voa” as her grandchildren would call her, was always present for her children and grandchildren.  She loved Christmas and spent all year searching for the perfect gifts for her family.  She always had a gag gift for the boys that they had to open in unison.  In her later years, she relied on QVC for her holiday shopping.  It seemed to be the only channel she watched.  Much of her shopping for this year’s Christmas had already been done and packages are still being delivered.  It was just how Gloria lived her life, always thinking of her family’s joy first.  She was an avid reader, loving mystery and historical novels, and could read a 400-page book in a day.  She also was a whiz at crossword puzzles.  She was always fashionable and had the perfect accessories to go with any outfit.  Gloria took the most pride however in her family.  Everyone was precious to her in special and unique ways.  She will be sadly missed but will always hold a special place in their hearts.

Gloria was the beloved wife of the late Antone “Tony” Ferreira.  She was the loving mother of David Ferreira & his wife Peg of Methuen, Pamela Maze & her husband Robert of Billerica, Mark Ferreira & his wife Kerry of Billerica, and Cheryl Eggerts & her husband Andy of Atkinson, NH.  She was the caring sister to both Norma Taylor of Raleigh, NC and the late Joseph Madeira.  She was the proud grandmother of 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Malachy Church in St. Veronica Parish, 99 Bedford St., Burlington on Tuesday, November 12 at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with an interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gloria’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. 

For online guestbook, obituary, and video tribute see: sullivanfuneralhome.net