Gloria M. (Richard) Whittles

Gloria M. (Richard) Whittles, 94, of Worcester, and formerly of Holden, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at the Memorial campus of the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

Her husband Norman R. Whittles died in 1979.

Gloria leaves her four children, Richard Whittles of Worcester, Susan Reno and her partner Mark Ferguson of Holden, Donald Whittles of Jefferson, Elaine Toomey and her husband Kevin of Worcester; five grandchildren, Brian and Michael Toomey, Seth and Kristen Whittles, Stephanie Cammuso and her husband Steve; a great grandchild Jackson Cammuso; and her sister Sr. Jeannette Richard D.H.S. of Windham, Connecticut. She is predeceased by her brother Edgar Richard.

Gloria was born in Reading, Pennsylvania to Napoleon and Rose M. (Noel) Richard. She graduated from Commerce High School in Worcester. She moved to Holden to raise her four children. She worked for American Telephone and Telegraph as an operator prior to getting married and returned to the job after her kids entered High School. After her husband died, she found employment with Hanover Insurance Group working her way up to their underwriting department.

She enjoyed spending time with family, especially with her great grandson Jackson; talking on the phone to her grandchildren who live far away or nearby. She enjoyed cooking, going for long walks and traveling with her friend Carol. She was very close with her “cousin in law” Jane Whittles, whom she considered one of her best friends. They talked on the phone daily even if it was to find out a crossword answer or share a good laugh - Jane passed away a year ago.

She was a devout Catholic, often volunteering her time in local chapels. She will be dearly missed by many.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales Street, Worcester.

Gloria will be buried privately next to her husband in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Holden.