Gloria Millette

MILLBURY - A lifelong resident of Millbury, Gloria Terese (Ballard) Millette ,78, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 18th in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Gloria leaves a son, Marc Millette of Millbury; a daughter, Lisa Boudreau of Oxford; four grandchildren, Dominic Millette and his wife Jessica of Barre; Joshua Millette of West Boylston; Rachelle Costello and her husband Cameron of Woodstock, CT; Evan Boudreau of Millbury; a sister, Anita Balcom and her husband William of Leesburg, FL; three nieces and many friends, including her best friend Lisette Gagne of Millbury. She is predeceased by her fiancé William Hobey of Sutton; her sister Lorraine Ballard of Manhattan, NY and her parents Charles A. and Clara M. (Fisette) Ballard of Millbury.

Gloria had a love for her Catholic faith, which was nurtured through her education at Assumption School in Millbury and Holy Name in Worcester. She was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Millbury. There, she received all her sacraments, joined the choir, the Associates of the Assumption, participated in Bible studies and hospitality events. Gloria also volunteered with meal preparation at the Mustard Seed.

She attended Cosmetology School and was a hairdresser. After a few years, she married and with the birth of first child became a stay-at-home Mom. When the children were in school, Gloria returned to the workforce. She held jobs as a seamstress in the home, as a hairdresser at Dot’s Beauty of Millbury, as a deli Clerk at Goretti’s of Millbury and Worcester, and as a dental office assistant for Dr. Cyril Sokale of Millbury. She finally found her calling working as an Activities Assistant at St. Francis Home in Worcester. She lovingly cared for the elderly as she brightened their day with her smile.  She found a creative outlet there trying to provide fun for all. She would later say “21 years of Bingo – enough!” Anyone who knew her was aware (or quickly learned) not to suggest a game of Bingo.  However much satisfaction various jobs provided, she regarded being most blessed as a mother and later as a grandmother.

In her spare time Gloria could be found doing hobbies such as furniture refinishing, sewing and macramé. She loved her God and was inspired by nature, especially flowers and butterflies. Trips to Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston with her finance Bill Hobey were some of her favorite memories later in life.  She danced and sang much at her granddaughter’s wedding just a few months ago.

Gloria’s visiting hours will be held at Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury on Wednesday Dec. 29th from 4-7PM. Her Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30AM on Thursday Dec. 30th at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 10 Waters Street, Millbury, immediately followed by a graveside service at Central Cemetery in Millbury.  The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at www.mulhane.com for those who are Covid cautious.

Although flowers are welcome, we request that you consider these charities for a donation in Gloria’s memory: “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” through Millbury Federal Credit Union’s, annual benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association, at 50 Main St., Millbury, MA 01527, Assumption School, 17 Grove Street, Millbury MA 01527 and WGBH.