NEW YORK—Gloria Nicola, a former senior editor of 20/20 Magazine, passed away on July 19 at her home in Long Island, N.Y. She was 74 years old.

Nicola, who retired from the magazine in October, 2014 after 27 years, covered frames, sunwear and accessories. A keen observer of the eyewear fashion scene, she was well liked and highly respected by many in the optical industry, particularly the frame designers and frame company executives whom she wrote about with insight and appreciation.

Nicola’s work has included covering thousands of new products, viewing almost as many new eyewear and sunwear collections, securing products and accessories for the magazine’s fashion shoots, writing features and interviewing dozens of eyewear, accessory and fashion designers over the years. She represented 20/20 at innumerable U.S. and international trade shows.

Nicola joined Jobson initially as a frames editor for both 20/20 and its sister publication, Vision Monday, in 1987. About a year later, she focused all of her time on 20/20 and in 1990 was named senior editor. Nicola initially covered all new products coming into the market, from contact lenses to accessories, displays and lenses. Her role evolved to a focus on frames, sunwear and accessories and, in the early ’90s, she started to complement her coverage within the U.S. with trips to Mido and Silmo.

Nicola, who grew up in Rhinelander, Wis., received her B.A. in English and then her Master’s in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin She taught English in high school and then in a junior college for four years before moving east to N.J. She eventually moved into the book publishing arena, working for Random House and Ballentine Books for several years and then at publisher Ziff Davis for 12 years on its hotel and travel directories.

“Gloria was one of the most unique talents I ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Marc Ferrara, CEO of Jobson’s Information Services division, publisher of 20/20 Magazine and Vision Monday. “She applied her insights and acute fashion radar to our market for multiple decades, nudging it toward maturity as if she was raising one of her own children.”

James J. Spina, 20/20’s editor in chief, said, “I’m at a near loss for words expressing my grief on the passing of Gloria Nicola, my friend and 20/20 colleague. Some years ago she was on the verge of “interviewing” some cartoon characters as part of coverage of a brand in children’s eyewear. She loved the bit of scribble I did representing her character. For years she would use it on all of her columns having to do with kids’ eyewear.”

Marge Axelrad, Vision Monday’s editorial director, remarked, “She helped shape the modern history of the eyewear business through her dedication, unique eye, great writing and clever wit. Gloria was such a gentle soul. We’ll miss her.”

A keen observer of the eyewear fashion scene, Nicola was loved and respected by many eyewear designers such as Blake Kuwahara, founder of Focus Group West, who said, “Her keen eye and her never-ending pursuit of the next trend was unsurpassed. I’ll always remember our meetings together, and her mischievous laugh.”

Ed Beiner of The Edward Beiner Group commented, “Gloria had an amazing eye, was a very talented woman and touched the lives of all who met her. I had the privilege of spending two days with Gloria in Luxembourg touring the Gold and Wood factory. It gave me the opportunity to appreciate her sense of humor, her warmth.”

David Duralde, chief creative officer for Kenmark Eyewear, called Nicola “the ultimate den mother for designers, seeing our talent before we did, believing in us and encouraging us to make a difference through design.”

Nicola was also known for her personal sense of style, particularly her taste in eyeglasses. She often wore glasses created by designers she knew and wrote about, such as Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds of l.a. Eyeworks.

“Gloria was a singular figure in optical publishing, and a champion of independent designers,” Gherardi and McReynolds said. “We cherished her support of l.a.Eyeworks. That she included our designs among her personal wardrobe will always be an honor.”

Summing up Nicola’s contributions to the eyewear industry, Mark Ginsberg, chief marketing officer for VSP Global, said, “Gloria’s gentle demeanor and quiet resolve belied a ferocious talent. Not simply a gifted writer, she was also a trailblazer and an inspiration to all that were lucky enough to know her. She was a true woman of substance.”

To honor the memory of Nicola, 20/20 Magazine has established a fundraising page in her name. The fund supports the efforts toward pet rescue and adoption of North Shore Animal League America and is inspired by Nicola’s love of animals, cats in particular. The new fundraising page (http://bit.ly/2vzZwsT) enables donations to that cause.

Nicola is survived by husband, Frank Nicola. No funeral service is planned.