SPRINGFIELD – Gloria R. (Palazzesi) McCarthy, 86, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. She passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Springfield on February 23, 1935, a beloved daughter of the late Antonio and Eunice (Cestari) Palazzesi. She was raised in Springfield and was a lifelong resident of the city. Gloria was a member of the Le Stelle D’Italia Women’s Club at the Italian Cultural Center, the Hungry Hill Center and the Springfield Golden Age Club, all in Springfield. Her greatest pleasure in life was spending time with her family. Gloria was an excellent Italian cook and enjoyed hosting many family gatherings and parties. For over 30 years, Gloria enjoyed her yearly summer trips to Hampton Beach with her family. She was a communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield. Following the closing of her beloved parish, she became a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church in East Springfield. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and soul mate, Raymond J. “Mac” McCarthy who was Called Home on February 5, 2017. They were married on June 11, 1955 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 61 years of happiness together. She leaves her five loving children, Debra A. Aberdale and her husband, Thomas, of Chicopee, Judith M. Moriarty and her husband, James, and Diane M. Grindle, all of Feeding Hills, Raymond J. McCarthy, Jr. of Chicopee and Robert F. McCarthy and his wife, Mary-beth, of West Springfield; her nine cherished grandchildren, Christopher Aberdale and his partner, Sarah, Michael Aberdale, Kara Dasso and her husband, Adam, Brian and Kate Moriarty, Kelly and Amy Grindle and Samantha and Ashley McCarthy; her five cherished great grandchildren, Lily and Liam Aberdale, and Jack, Luke and Emma Dasso; her dear brother, Tony Palazzesi and his wife, Ginny, of Somers, CT; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the McCarthy and Palazzesi families. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her loving son in law, James A. “Jimmy” Grindle who was Called Home on August 19, 2020; her four dear sisters, Ann Marie Palazzesi, Dora Agrapides and her husband, Dennis, Edith M. Cavicchioli and her husband, Thomas, and Barbara M. Dobiecki and her husband, Walter; her dear brother in law, John F. McCarthy, Jr.; and her dear sister in law, Rita M. Sullivan. Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. Her Committal Service will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, December 13, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Masks are recommended for her services. Her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, (Please Specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com