Gilma Malagon Cruz (Gilly/Gilmita), 90, of West Roxbury, formerly of Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain and Mission Hill, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in the early morning on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
Gilma was born in Soccoro, Santander del Sur, Colombia to the late Alfonso Malagon and Ana Josefa Malagon and raised in Colombia until the age of 19, when she traveled to serve as a Nanny for a family residing in Hull, MA. She worked as a Seamstress while attending school to become a Nurse’s Aide. She worked at Brigham & Women’s Hospital for over 20 years.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Pedro Cruz Morales to whom she was married for 51 years. Gilma was the beloved mother of two children: Alba Cruz-Davis and husband, Mark Davis of West Roxbury, and Luis Cruz and wife Yolanda Cruz of West Roxbury. She was also the adoring grandmother (Abuelita) to 5 grandchildren: Alexander Tejeda, Myles Davis, Kylie, Kamila and Joel Cruz. She was the sister of the late Luz Arroyo and Aurora Canto.
Gilma was above all devoted to her family. She was a loving wife and mother of two children whom she raised in Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain and Hyde Park. She enjoyed time with her extended and immediate family, especially her children and grandchildren. She loved family celebrations/cookouts and a good shot of “Aguardiente.” As a retiree she loved spending time at the beaches on Cape Cod, especially Swifts and Onset, during the summer while spending winters in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, as well as traveling with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to the Wake being held on Thursday, October 26th from
4 to 8 PM at the Gormley Funeral Home in West Roxbury. Relatives and Family are kindly invited to visit with family at the Gormley Funeral Home between 9-9:30 AM on Friday, October 27th before promptly proceeding to St. John Chrysostom Church at 9:30 AM in West Roxbury where a Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM. Celebration of Life following the Funeral Mass at the VFW Post, 84 Eastern Ave, Dedham from 12-4 PM.
In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Gilma’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts. For directions and guestbook gormleyfuneral.com.