Gloria Rose Tuttle

Gloria was born on May 13, 1929 in New Rochelle, New York to George Shapiro and Theresa (DiBuono) Shapiro. She grew up in a boisterous, multi-generational Italian home and was known for her beauty and elegance. As a child of the Great Depression, Gloria had significant responsibilities early in life, helping to take care of her two younger sisters Ann and Georgina while their parents worked.

After graduating from Albert Leonard High School in New Rochelle, Gloria became a secretary at an Air Force office near Grand Central Station in Manhattan. On Christmas Eve 1950, a young serviceman named Joseph Francis Tuttle visited the office on business, noticed beautiful Gloria, and asked if he could buy her lunch. She said no, but he went out in the snow anyway and came back with sandwiches. They got married in June 1951 and embarked on an exciting life of global travel as Joe was stationed around the world.

Gloria and Joe first moved to Washington, D.C., where their daughter Barbara Jo Tuttle was born in 1953. The family then spent three years stationed in Japan, where Gloria was surprised to find she enjoyed life even though she was so far from home. She especially loved their time in Puerto Rico, where she liked listening to the waves at the beach.

Gloria and Joe’s 50-year marriage was both a fairytale love story and a best friendship. They shared a goofy sense of humor and a love of jazz music and world travel, ultimately visiting five continents. Their song was “Love Is Here To Stay” by George and Ira Gershwin, and Gloria liked sitting by the piano while Joe—a talented jazz pianist who performed semi-professionally—played their favorite songs.

Gloria, Joe, and Barbara moved to Colorado Springs in 1966, and though Gloria’s heart was always in New York, Colorado became her home. She had a wide circle of treasured friends and was deeply committed to her Catholic faith and her church community. After Joe died in 2001, Gloria found particular meaning in her work at the Catholic Center at the Citadel, where she was the very first volunteer. Gloria loved greeting visitors at the front desk and adored the Capuchin monks who served there. Her ideal birthday was Mass at the Catholic Center followed by lunch or dinner at the Olive Garden.

Gloria was also incredibly elegant and stylish. She dressed like Audrey Hepburn even when she went to the grocery store.

Although Gloria’s three adoring grandchildren may be biased, they will always believe she was the best grandma in the world. Even though they lived a thousand miles away, she was a reliable presence at graduations, school concerts, and birthday parties. Gloria loved each of her grandchildren just as they were and helped make their dreams possible.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Tuttle; her parents, George and Theresa Shapiro; her sister, Ann Marks; and her infant daughter, Mary Beth Tuttle. She is survived by her sister Georgina Teitelbaum of North Palm Beach, Florida; her daughter Barbara Tuttle of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; her grandchildren, Sarah Carroll (Edward Herbst) of Washington, D.C., Kate Carroll (Marisa Bhargava) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and John Carroll (James Mills) of Brooklyn, New York; her great-grandson Isaac Carroll-Herbst of Washington, D.C.; and beloved nieces and nephews. Becoming a great-grandmother was a highlight of Gloria’s life; her friends, caregivers, and doctors knew every detail about Isaac, and she was still video-chatting with him in her final days.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 3 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, with a rosary service at 10:30 and a funeral mass at 11:00. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Swan-Law Funeral Directors is handling the arrangements.

Gloria’s family is grateful to everyone who helped make her life beautiful, and especially to the treasured caregivers and close friends who helped her spend her final months in comfort, dignity, and love.