Holden – Gloria Laura (Dagradi) Guagnini passed away at Marlborough Hospital on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 after a brief illness. Unselfish, loving, and always kind, Gloria is survived by her devoted husband Richard, to whom she was married for nearly 63 years. She was the light of his life.
Gloria also leaves behind daughter Lisa Williamson and her husband Peter of Coventry, CT; daughter Cheryl Holden and her partner Daniel Fontes of Marlborough; son Brian and his wife Elaine of Shrewsbury; daughter Stacey Willman and her husband Jeffrey of Rutland; grandchildren Joshua Williamson, Joseph Williamson, Jessica (Williamson) Santos and her husband Paul, Roger Holden, Cody Willman, Tanner Willman, Emma Guagnini, Kate Guagnini, Bayley Willman; and great-granddaughter Quinton Santos. Gloria leaves behind many close friends near and far, including her dear relatives Laura, Salvatore and Lawrence Santino of Staten Island, NY; Anthony, Christopher, Terry, Eric and Timothy Dagradi of Summit, NJ; and Roger A. Holden of Shrewsbury. She was predeceased by her brother Arnold Dagradi, sister-in-law Matilda Dagradi, many close relatives and countless lifelong friends.
Gloria was born on July 31, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY to her late parents Eligio and Teresa Luigina (Corradi) Dagradi. After graduating from Summit (NJ) High School and pursuing a nursing degree at Elizabeth College, Gloria met Richard Guagnini, the love of her life, and they were married on May 28, 1960. After several moves in New York, Gloria and Richard settled in Westborough, MA, where they lived for 27 years. During that time, Gloria stayed home to raise her four children, then worked for several years at Southborough Medical Group.
Gloria was extremely active politically, serving as the Massachusetts Republican State Committeewoman for many years during the 1970s and 1980s and actively working on successful campaigns for Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.
After several summers camping at Peter’s Pond Park on Cape Cod, Richard built Gloria their dream post-and-beam home on a picturesque kettle pond in Cotuit. They eventually relocated to Holden, MA in 2014 to be closer to family.
Gloria was a devoted daughter, wife and mother with a smile that would light up a room, a contagious laugh, and a tender hug. Even on her bad days, Gloria always greeted you with a smile. She always made sure her home was a friendly, welcoming place for many friends, neighbors and relatives and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She loved sending greeting cards – and scratch tickets – and rarely said no to a quick trip to the casino. Gloria most loved her many trips to Italy with her husband and family visiting relatives.
In her later years, she enjoyed using her tablet to keep in touch with her many friends and relatives via Messenger. She was always happiest among family and friends and will be sorely missed by everyone who loved her.
A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held in late July at a venue yet to be determined. Details will be made available when they are finalized and all who knew Gloria are invited. The Guagnini family thanks you for your prayers and encourages you to hold those you love close while you are blessed to have them with you.
Her funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 22, in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St. Westborough.
Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
