Gloria Melecio, October 28, 1941 - July 8, 2023, Gloria Melecio from Jamaica Plain, MA was born in Manati, Puerto Rico on October 28, 1941 to the late Martin and Ramona Nunez. In 1957, she and her late husband Jesus Melecio moved to Boston’s South End. They opened and operated the first Bodega “La Cortesana” on Shawmut Ave. Gloria was a true trailblazer in her community. She helped families make ends meet by giving them the ability to purchase food or whatever they needed with an option to create their own repayment plan, interest free. Gloria then joined the Peace Corps as a Volunteer, with a passion on helping hispanic families with nutrition, education and English as a second language by advocating and volunteering at the first Hispanic Pre-school. Ultimately this led her to a 20 year career retirement from the federal government’s Department of Agriculture where she spearheaded the new food stamp program. She participated in political campaigns to bring more attention to the needs of all Hispanic families in Boston by pushing for equity and inclusion back in the early 60’s along with other well known trailblazers. She was the Mother to Maritza Melecio, Edwin Melecio and Yvonne Melecio Ortiz. Mother in law to Rebeca Melecio. Grandmother to Shivon Marie Arroyo, Giovanni Arroyo, Janelle Renee Ortiz, Felicia Margot Melecio, Graciela Nancy Melecio and Brigida Esther Melecio. Great grandmother to Antonio Luis Torres, Jovan Jason Cabral Arroyo, Deanelly Colon and Zyla Eden Colon.
Visiting hours at the Brady & Fallon Funeral Home 10 Tower St. (Opp. Forest Hills MBTA Station) Jamaica Plain on Monday July 17 from 5-8 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 419 Shawmut Ave. South End, Boston on Tuesday July 18, 2023 at 10 am. Interment will then follow at Forest Hills Cemetery.