Gregoria Rivera-Arroyo

Gregoria Rivera-Arroyo, 82, of Webster, formerly of Worcester, entered to rest Thursday afternoon November 26, 2020 while living with her daughter Maria Rodriguez and son in law Rafael Rodriguez.

  Gregoria was born on May 9, 1938 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, daughter to Domingo Rivera (father) and Julia Collazo Santaella (mother). She had a total of 13 siblings including her. Gregoria was raised working on the farm as she only reached up to 4th grade level of education to attend her family’s farmlands, but this didn’t stop her from working hard and learning how to live life at such an early age. At the age of 9 she learned how to cook for the family through one of her siblings. As a hard worker that she was, since she loved ironing clothes, she made it into a job where the people of the town loved getting their clothes pressed and ironed by her, especially the business folks, as she enjoyed ironing and was very good at it. Time after, as she loved music, she met a musician who would also become the father of her 9 children, Isidro Arroyo and got married at age 18 in 1957. Gregoria was a strong bold woman and a fighter, at the age of 27 she was diagnosed with Tuberculosis in her lungs, but once again this did not stop her from living life and providing for her family.

  Surviving are her nine children: Iris M. Arroyo of Worcester, MA, Felix Arroyo of East Earl, PA, Cosme Arroyo of Cape Cod, MA, Guillermo (Bill) Arroyo of Lancaster, PA, Jose A. Arroyo of Weatherly, PA, Albert Arroyo of Worcester, MA, Edwin Arroyo of Worcester, MA, Maria Rodriguez of Webster, MA, and Soedorys Arroyo of Worcester, MA. With many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

  Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 from 9am to 11am at Graham, Putnam and Mahoney Funeral Parlors, 838 Main St Worcester, Ma 01610, followed by a committal to Rural Cemetery at 180 Grove St Worcester, Ma 01605.

 Due to Covid19 Guidelines everyone is required to wear masks indoors. Keep six apart at all times. Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance of the facility. Our staff will do our best to follow the Guidelines and answer any of your concerns. thank you for understanding. 

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