Gloria M. (Aruda) Mozzicato, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2025 at Lahey Hospital in Burlington.  She was the beloved wife of the late James E. “Jim” Mozzicato, with whom she had shared over 57 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2015. 

Born in Somerville, MA in October 1935, she was one of four children to the late Manuel F. and Alice R. (Marques) Aruda.  Gloria grew up in Somerville, and graduated from Somerville High in 1953.  Following her education, Gloria met the love of her life, Jim, while she was working at MIT and he was a student there. The two quickly fell in love, and were married in 1957.  They built a beautiful life together, first in Medford, then in Watertown, where they lived close to Gloria’s family. After about 10 years, they moved to Burlington, where they raised their children and created a warm, welcoming home that would remain the center of family life for decades. After Jim passed away, Gloria moved to Nicholas Commons in Billerica.

Gloria was a devoted wife and a loving mother who poured her heart into caring for her children. Once they were grown, she worked at W.H. Lyon Real Estate in Lexington as a property manager. Gloria took many classes in copper enameling, cooking, cake decorating, wood working and photography. She loved photography and always had a camera with her even from a young age.  Later she started taking digital photos and emailed them to family and loved ones - well before it was as popular as it is now.

Travel was one of Gloria and Jim’s greatest joys. Together, they quite literally explored the world, marking many “push-pins” and cruise routes on their travel map. Gloria had a saying she used so much she stitched it into a sampler – “Away Sweet Away”. In later years, they slowed down their worldwide travels but still treasured annual trips to Aruba in the winters.

Gloria’s creativity and generosity extended beyond her family to her volunteer work. Through the Boston chapter of Project Linus, she devoted countless hours to knitting and crocheting blankets for babies and children in hospitals and shelters.  Her home became a hub for fellow “blanketeers”, and it was not uncommon for her porch to be completely covered in blankets waiting to be delivered.  This was never a worry for Gloria though, with Jim by her side, she always ensured every blanket found its way to someone who needed its warmth and comfort.

Above all, Gloria’s greatest joy was her family. She adored her two children and was a devoted grandmother, whose granddaughters became the light of her life the moment they entered it.  She relished the time she spent cooking, baking, and gardening with them.  She and Jim hosted many events with their extended families: cookouts, making ice cream, pool parties, lobster bakes, birthday and holiday celebrations. Her love, patience, and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew her.  

Surviving Gloria are her adoring children, Susan Mozzicato of Woburn, and Richard Mozzicato and his wife Barbara of Burlington; her cherished granddaughters, Allison Mozzicato and Emily Mozzicato both of Burlington; her sister, Eileen Ciccarelli and her husband Tony; and she was predeceased by her sister, Alice Ryan, and her brother, Manuel Aruda, Jr. Gloria is also survived by many other dear family members and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, September 28th from 2 pm until 5 pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington.  Her Funeral will begin from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Monday, September 29th at 9 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 am. at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, 111 Winn Street, Burlington.  Burial will immediately follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gloria’s honor to the Boston Chapter of Project Linus.