1944 - 2024
Visitation
July 21, 202412Noon - 1 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home, 106 Middlesex Street, N. Chelmsford
Funeral
July 21, 20241 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home, 106 Middlesex Street, N. Chelmsford
Gloria Jean “Sugar” Whittaker, age 80, of Dracut, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 24, 2024. She was born in Cambridge, the beloved daughter of Amy Calendar Whittaker.
Gloria was a graduate of Cambridge Ringe & Latin High School, class of 1962.
Sugar, as she was known by everyone, rose from very humble beginnings to become the very first African American flight attendant for American Airlines in Boston in 1972. She dignified this accomplishment going on to become an icon and rose to the level of celebrity and star. Sugar retired in 2012 as did her husband Michael making use of their retirement to spend welcomed and uninterrupted time together.
Sugar and her loving husband Michael met in 1978 at 1369 Jazz Club in Inman Square Cambridge. It was love at first sight. They lived together as a couple for 35 years and in 2013 they more publicly acknowledged their ongoing love with their memorable marriage witnessed by friends and family at their home in Dracut in 2013.
Sugar and Michael recently celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on June 22. Her interests included jazz music, traveling, writing tirelessly to friends and family with her very own Sugar Cards, and spending time with her cherished friends. Gloria was known for her radiant signature smile, extreme generosity, and affectionate love for her cats Nightshade and Nightshade Jr.
She is survived by her husband, Michael, and his son, Christopher Byrne, and his wife, Megan, of Danbury, CT. Gloria is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Patrick Byrne and his wife, Joan, of Dedham, MA, and Hugh Byrne and his wife, Julie, of Jamesville, NY, as well as her grandchildren, Aidan Byrne and Liam Byrne.
Sugar will be deeply missed by all who knew, loved and adored her. Sugar was as sweet as her name, and was truly one of a kind.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Visiting hours Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 12Noon to 1PM at DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX STREET, N. CHELMSFORD, MA, followed by a funeral service from 1PM – 2PM in the funeral home. There will be a buffet lunch at Princeton Station from 2-6, and also for those interested charitable contributions in place of flowers to her non profit hospice care provider Care Dimensions, they have a website Caredimensions.org.
ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.
Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Michele Dougherty
| #
I loved flying with Sugar as did everyone else who ever worked with her. Her good heart, personality and charm stood out in so many ways. Condolences to her many friends and family members.
Jillian Priester
| #
Sugar was more than sweet; she was a loveline. Her unwavering commitment to friendship is something I feel so lucky to have been blessed with in this lifetime. I love her and miss her so much. She was the greatest friend I’ve ever had. Rest peacefully knowing you made a positive impact in this world through love.
Christina Nahatis Barrett
| #
Dearest Michael,
My heart is so sad, with the immeasurable loss of beautiful , sweet, kind and thoughtful , Sugar..
She was truly an Angel on Earth, that touched the lives, of everyone she met..I feel blessed that Sugar was my friend, and I’ll be forever grateful , for the love filled, happy and wonderful times we all shared together.. Meeting for lunch, was always a highlight ..
Sending comforting thoughts, love and prayers to you and your family.. The love and devotion you both shared was so beautiful. May the cherished memories of Sugar, that you hold deep in your heart, give you strength in the days ahead.. and also keep Sugar’s Memory, alive forever. God Bless~ 🌟❤️🙏🪽
With Sympathy and love,
Christina
Kate Avruch
| #
Sugar, such a fitting name for a woman who defined kindness and a welcoming spirit. We had met when I worked at a health office she had been attending for care about ten years ago now. She quickly became someone I enjoyed getting to see in the office, and then out of the office. My friends Sugar and Jillian became quite a trio. Over the years life moves along and we kept in touch with occasional visits. She will always be carried with me in my heart as with many others she had also touched. Thankful for the time we had with her, what a blessing and a true burst of life to be in her presence. My deepest condolences to Michael and her family. May her memory be a blessing to all who speak her name 🕊️❤️
yodelqui Bone
| #
Dear Michael
I Very sad 😢 I going to miss her.
Sugar was very loved person and nice
I never saw her angry always happy and laughing.
She always sent my a beautiful flowers card.
Purple it was her color prerfered.
Michael you was very good to her.
you gave her everything she wanted until the last moment.
You gave her everything she liked.
she joyed being with you.
She died very happy.
The most important thing sugar went with God.
I pray to God to give you strength and peace to continue in life.
Paul and I are available for whatever you need.
Thanks for sharing with us
We love you.
Yodelqui Bone
Dorothy Elia
| #
Oh Sugar, this world lost a great one, the day you passed. Your sparkly personality I will remember you by. Your kindness, generosity and love sum up “our Sugar.” She will be soooo missed, she was class and sweetness rolled into one big personality, as we all will remember. Condolences to Michael, her family and dear friends. Sugar “darling” you were and will always be loved, there weren’t many people like her, and I doubt there will be few that I will meet, like her, in my life. Rest easy now friend, love ya
Dorothy Barczyn Elia