Gloria (Perrucci) Burke

Gloria Perrucci Burke (Eleria, Grandma, GG), passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025, at Bridgeway Care Center in Bridgewater, NJ. She was 91 years old. Born in 1934 and raised in Scotch Plains, Gloria was the youngest daughter of Maliette and Angelo Perrucci. She graduated from Scotch Plains High School and then worked as a bank teller until she married her beloved husband, Bob, in 1957. They enjoyed 64 amazing years of marriage together.
Gloria loved and excelled in her role as Mom, Grandma and GG. She was always there for her family, whether running the household, attending sports games and dance recitals, packing lunches for family ski trips, helping out with girl/boy scout troops, sewing, cooking incredible meals or passing those skills down to the next generations.
Sundays were for spaghetti and meatballs (her recipe, made with love, will never be truly duplicated). Holidays were her specialty, highlighted by baking homemade cream puffs, pizzelles, pies and Christmas cookies, as well as welcoming as many could fit in the house - the more the merrier. The door was always open (literally – because she never locked it)!
She welcomed and treated everyone she met with kindness and always made them feel like family. She was a devout Catholic who loved attending church and saying her rosary regularly. Her family is comforted knowing that she’s in God’s hands and now reunited with Bob, family and friends sent to heaven before her. Still, she will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Gloria was predeceased by her parents, husband Bob, and siblings John, Angelo, Art, Anthony and Dolly. She is survived by her brother Ernie and her loving family: daughter Denise Higgins (husband Tom), son Robert Burke (wife Beth), daughter Diane George (husband Mike); grandchildren Kristin Higgins Douglas (husband Jeff), Kelly Higgins Davis (husband Justin), Kyle Higgins (wife Gina), Allie and Emily Burke, Matthew, Kimberly and Richard George; and great-grandchildren Kylie, Chase, Chloe, Daniella,
Charlotte, Hailey and Lexi.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her visitation on Thursday, September 11th from 2 pm – 5 pm at Sheenan Funeral Home, Dunellen, NJ. A funeral mass will be held at 10 am on Friday, September 12 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Dunellen, NJ, followed by her burial at Bound Brook Cemetery, Bound Brook, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/.

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