Aurora Maddalena Zola, beloved sister, cousin and friend, daughter of the late Joseph and Rina Castaldo Zola passed away peacefully August 24, 2017 in Oviedo, Florida. Aurora was born on January 28, 1924 in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Aurora was a beautiful sister, cousin and wonderful friend to all.
A graduate of New Bedford High School in 1941, she attended Bryant Business College in Providence, RI, but decided the business world was not for her, so she went to the Wilfred Cosmetology Academy in Boston, MA. Upon completion and licensure she opened a beauty salon in Wareham, MA. Aurora was part owner and business manager of the Silver Gull Inn in Mattapoisett, MA.
After earning a B.S. in Business Education at Salem State College, Salem, MA and later a Masters of Education in Guidance from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA, she began her teaching career at Plus Kinyon Business.School in New Bedford, and in 1972 joined the Business Education Department at New Bedford High School where she taught for 11 years.
Aurora was a member of MA Business Educators Association, Pi Omega Pi National Business Teacher, Educational Honor Society, Bristol County Educators Association, Psi chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society, the "Does" of the Fall River Elks Lodge, Bonaventure Garden Club and Italian-American Club of Weston, FL.
Music was the center of Aurora's life. She loved to sing and dance whether in church choirs, the Godreau Chorus or singing for organizations throughout the city. The theater beckoned and she became active in The Spouters, Your Theater and Little Theater of Fall River. Starting as a chorus girl, but winning the junior lead in "Kiss Me Kate" and the lead in "South Pacific", two Standard-Times charity shows, was the big break. From there it was leading lady all the way: "Annie Get Your Gun", "Pajama Game", "Flower Drum Song", "Brigadoon", '"'Finnian's Rainbow" and dramas "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf', "Bus Stop" and "Butterflies Are Free".
Aurora lived an amazing life and was full of beauty inside and out. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her in Massachusetts and Florida. Aurora is survived by her sister, Edna, who was her caregiver for the past four years. Aurora is from a loving family comprised of many cousins: Racine Castaldo-Faris, Dorothy Laflamme, Jeanne Pallatroni, Cynthia (Dan) Clifford, John (Susan) Rogers, Jerilyn (Robert) Kreps, Clint (Betty) Doyle, Sharyn (Rex) Kluse and the DeBortoli Clan, whom she dearly cherished.
Edna would like to express her appreciation to the Vitas hospice staff for their kind and loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Aurora's name, may be made to Vitas Community Connection, 255 E. Fifth Street, Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
A memorial of joy and remembrance is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2017 at Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. Interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery.