Gloria D. Mango

Gloria D. (Baker) Mango, 91, died Thursday at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born at home in Richmond, Kentucky the second of ten children to the late Reuben and Virginia (Pearson) Baker. She was affectionately known by her large extended KY family as Deannie. After marriage to her late husband of 70 years, Michael Mango, they lived in West Springfield for many years. Her heart and soul also lived in Kentucky, especially at the place she called “the farm”, where she lived and loved the first part of her life. She retained and cherished the values, traditions, perspectives, and interests that she gained as a child growing up there. She had a soft spoken, honest, gentle, kind, and genuine demeanor that continued through her twenty-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. During different periods in her life, she enjoyed making pottery from natural clay found by the “creek on the farm”, collecting antique glass and figurines, bird watching and reading. She could often be heard singing old folk songs learned in childhood and show tunes from the 40’s and 50’s. She retired from Bradlees department store. She leaves her daughter Diane Mango-Cahill of Williamsburg, two sons James Mango of South Hadley and Steven Mango of West Springfield, four grandchildren Gina and Michael Mango, Dean Cahill, Garret Cahill, and his wife Adena Calden and three great grandchildren Gordon, Oliver, and Lorelei Cahill. She delighted being with all generations of her family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandchildren fondly remember her as being worried about everyone’s wellbeing and lovingly remember her for making each one feel special for their own way. Gloria was predeceased by her sister Alice Baker Clements and leaves sisters Ella Rae Rafferty, Barbara Kingsbury, Judy Baker, Jackie Roden and her husband Dick. She leaves brothers, Roy (Buddy) Baker, Ronnie Baker, James Baker and his wife Darlene, Don Baker and wife Mary Jo. She leaves a brother-in-law, Ray Righetti, and was predeceased by in laws Anthony and Mary Mango, Anna and Stanley Szajgin, and Rose Righetti. She leaves four generations of nieces and nephews, and Rick Sicker, friend of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease. www.michaeljfox.org. A private committal service will be held at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Cemetery. Curran-O’Brien Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. For more information or to make online condolences please go to curranobrien.com.