Gilda M. (Toro) Balboni

Gilda M. “Jill” Balboni, a former, longtime resident of Wilbraham, died Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Born in Springfield, she was the daughter of the late Oreste and Edvidge (Grandonico) Toro and was educated in the Springfield schools. Jill graduated from the High School of Commerce and the Springfield Hospital School of Nursing – now Baystate Medical Center. She was employed at the hospital as a staff nurse and later went to work in the office of the late pediatrician, Dr. Nelson Newmark. In 1965, she became a member of the Nurses’ Professional Registry and worked in area hospitals as a private duty nurse for 20 years. She was a lifetime member of Baystate Medical Center Alumni Assn. In recent years Jill was a volunteer at Life Care Nursing Center in Wilbraham. She was a communicant of St. Cecilia Church in Wilbraham. In addition to her parents, Jill was also predeceased by her two brothers; Victor and Louis Toro, both of Springfield, her two sisters; Linda Anthony of Wilbraham and Evelyn Grassetti of Monson and her beloved husband, Gerald James Balboni in 2017. Jill is survived by her three beloved and cherished daughters; Virginia Hinkley of Springfield, Laurie and her husband William White of Perry, NY and Barrie and her husband Michael Tunstall of Finchville, KY, seven dearly beloved grandchildren; Ryan and Amanda Hinkley of Enfield, CT, Cash and Lauren Tunstall of Brentwood, TN, Kurt and Carla Tunstall of Auburn, NH, Mitchell and Addie Tunstall of Finchville, KY, William and Summer White of New York, NY, Ana and Joey Marshburn of Sandwich, MA and Lea White of Perry, NY. Jill also leaves four great grandchildren; Christopher and Leo Hinkley of Enfield, CT and Sage and Cash, Jr. Tunstall of Brentwood, TN, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Reeds Landing at Loomis Lakeside both in the assisted living unit and the skilled nursing facility.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jill’s name may be made to the charity of one’s choice.