Gloria Molinaroli

April 16, 1947 – April 13, 2026 It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Gloria Anita (Colby) Molinaroli, a devoted mother, loyal friend, and lifelong resident of St. Johnsbury.

Gloria, 78, passed away on April 13, 2026, following a brief illness at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, NH. She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered by all who knew her.

Born on April 16, 1947, in Springfield, MA, Gloria was the daughter of the late Joseph “Paul” and Marguerite (Prefontaine) Colby of St. Johnsbury. She graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy (Class of 1965) and went on to attend Castleton State College. She was predeceased by her husband of 32 years, Clark Molinaroli (1999), and her partner, George “Chet” Moulton (2011).

Gloria is survived by her children: Dean Molinaroli of St. Johnsbury; Karen Molinaroli (Curt Mahlstedt) of Sarasota, FL; and Lynn Molinaroli (Mark Paige) of New Hartford, CT. She was predeceased by her beloved son, Mark Molinaroli, in 2021, whom she cared for devotedly throughout his life. Gloria’s gentle, caregiving nature was simply who she was.

She is also survived by her siblings, Terri (Colby) Eldridge (Kim Eldridge) of Siloam Springs, AR, and Sheri (Colby) Schenck (Jim Schenck) of Passumpsic, VT, as well as her sister-in-law, Sandra (Rossio) Molinaroli of Rye, NY.

Gloria’s legacy lives on through her seven grandchildren—Kendra Molinaroli (Shad Merrick), Samuel Nash, Sydney Nash (Alex Detlefsen), Noah Nash, Kyle Molinaroli, Carl Molinaroli, and Brady Molinaroli—as well as nine nieces and nephews. Each of them carries forward a bit of her kindness, her creativity, and, possibly, her appreciation for a good crossword puzzle.

An active and beloved member of the St. Johnsbury community, Gloria spent many years as a children’s librarian at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum—a role she truly cherished. She was often recognized around town by now-grown children who remembered her fondly. She had a gift for making reading magical, whether through summer programs or story times.

Gloria was also involved in PTA, and was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a recreational volleyball and softball player, and a talented crafter who enjoyed participating in art and craft fairs with her sister Sheri throughout Vermont. She found joy in sewing, gardening, scrapbooking, and decorating—and if there was a mystery to solve or an old movie to watch, she was happily occupied. She was also a devoted fan of Boston sports teams and rarely missed an episode of her favorite Jeopardy!.

She loved time spent at Crystal Lake and Willoughby Lake, especially swimming and kayaking. In retirement, she made her home at the St. Johnsbury House, where she embraced community life, attended musical performances, game nights, exercise classes, and continued helping others—whether through a ride, an errand, or simply a kind word.

Gloria had a special place in her heart for animals, from wild birds to her Pomeranian Gretel and her cats. One feline adventure even became the inspiration for the children’s book Homer the Library Cat.

She was a member of the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of St. Johnsbury, where she found peace and meaning in the services she attended.

Gloria also leaves behind some special friends, who will deeply miss her, including her “Center Girls,” a group of childhood friends who attended primary school with her and met monthly for lunch, as well as Denyse (Lanctot) Daly, Paul and Gloria Toney, Peter and Bonnie Emmons, Cheryl Edney, Elizabeth Upton, Garth and Chava Moulton, and many others.

A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held this summer, with date and location to be determined. All who knew and loved her are warmly invited to attend and honor her memory.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Kingdom Animal Shelter in St. Johnsbury.