Obituary
Gloria J. (Marazzi) Albano – Of Somerville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7, 2025. She was 88.

Born and raised in Somerville, Gloria was the beloved daughter of the late John F. and Julia (Certusi) Marazzi. The Marazzi family lived for many years at 9 Greenville Terrace in the shadow of the Prospect Hill Tower, but moved to Arlington while Gloria was still in high school. However, she continued to attend Somerville High School until her graduation in 1954, in part to remain closer to her high school sweetheart, Salvatore (Gabby) Albano, who ultimately became her husband for 64 years and was the love of her life.

A proud career woman and mother of three, Gloria was ahead of her time. She raised her children, but always worked — first as a switchboard operator (aka “The Hello Girl”) at WBZ; later at the then new Holiday Inn Somerville; as a partner to her husband’s restaurant, catering, and political endeavors; a volunteer and founding board member of CASPAR (Cambridge and Somerville Programs for Addiction Recovery), one of the first such organizations of its kind; and, finally, as a human resource specialist.

It was in this last profession that Gloria made her mark. She worked in the personnel office of Governor Michael Dukakis, later in the Executive Office of Human Services under then Secretary Charlie Baker, and, finally, in the Division of Medical Assistance. She was exceptional at recognizing talent in others, at networking, and putting the right person in the right job — skills that enabled her to not only help innumerable people find meaningful employment and pursue their dreams, but also to populate state agencies with quality people. Underneath her tough exterior and acerbic wit was an inner warmth, empathy, and dedication which made a lasting impact on anyone who had the privilege of working with her.

She loved music, especially the jazz music of Ella Fitzgerald and Dave Brubeck. She and Sal loved to dance, and were particularly fond of the jitterbug. When they first married, they lived in Germany while Sal was in the Army, and traveled throughout Italy.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, they spent summers at their cottage at White Horse Beach in Manomet, where they operated a clam shack called The Beachway. Eventually they left that behind for two different year-round houses in New Hampshire, the last one at Newfound Lake.

Gloria’s greatest joy was her husband, Sal, and their family.

To their family and friends, Gloria and Sal were an inseparable unit. There could not have been a Sal Albano without Gloria, and vice versa. And Gloria was not the “woman behind the man.” To say so would diminish her importance to their story. In fact, many believed Gloria was the real politician in the family. The truth is — whatever impact they ultimately had on the City of Somerville — they did it together. She has been described as “one of a kind” and “a force of nature”. She had a disarming sarcasm that made people laugh, won them over, and enabled her to connect with people from many different walks of life.

Somehow, amid the chaos of her nonstop, whirlwind life of professional and public service, she still found the time to be a devoted, loving mother and grandmother. Her pride in her children and grandchildren knew no bounds. Their accomplishments filled her with happiness, and her support and encouragement were unwavering.

She was the beloved wife of the late former State Senator, Somerville Alderman, and high school special education teacher, Salvatore R. Albano, who passed away in 2022; devoted mother of Julie Ellen (Albano) Abruzzio and her husband Robert of Peabody, Michael Albano and his wife Eden Edwards of Chelsea, and the late Peter Albano and his surviving wife Leeann (Tolosko) Albano; cherished grandmother of Chris Abruzzio and his wife Kelly (Konikowski) Abruzzio, Lauren (Abruzzio) Sears and her husband Jesse Sears, Salvatore Albano, Andrea Albano, Angelina Albano, Elena Albano, and Alessandra Albano. Loving great-grandmother of Shea, Charlie, and Quinn Abruzzio; and Nolan and Lennon Sears. Dear sister of the late Teresa (Terry) Hammond, Peter Marazzi and John Marazzi. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends, notably Dr. Dixie J. Mills, who was like a daughter to Gloria and a sister to her children.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Somerville.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Salvatore & Peter Albano Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 440272; Somerville, MA 02145