Obituary

Mrs. Gladys C. (Arritola) Gomez, of Medford, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on March 13, 2024 at the age of 84. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, she was the daughter of the late Concepcion (Pubillones) and Julio Arritola.

Gladys came to the United States in 1962, first settling in Boston and later to Miami, Florida where she owned and operated her florist shop, La Orquidea Florists. She loved animals, shopping, getting her nails done, and trying her luck at the casino. But above all she was devoted to her family. Gladys loved nothing more than spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her dog, Perlita.

The devoted, loving mother of Ann Marie Franquiz of Medford and her partner Joe DiGirolamo. She was the cherished grandmother of Patrick Hughes of East Brookfield, Janessa Sullivan and her husband Robert of Medford, and Breanna Martignetti and her husband Grant of Medford. Loving great-grandmother of Gianna and Robert Sullivan. She was the dear partner of Orlando Albuin, sister of the late Julio Arritola and his surviving wife Deisi Arritola, and loving aunt to her nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St, Malden, MA 02148 on Saturday morning, March 16th at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends invited to attend. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.

Flowers are welcome or if you wish, donations in her memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at http://www.stjude.org or to the MSPCA at http://www.mspca.org