Tula Gamvroulas passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 8, 2021 at the age of 92. Born Florence "Tula" Savas on May 25, 1929, to Peter & Christine Savas in Salt Lake City, the second of nine children. Tula graduated from South High School in 1947 and was promptly enrolled by her father at LDS Business College. Her father built the now famous Grove Market in 1949 and after his untimely passing in 1954, Tula took over "the store" and kept it running though very difficult financial times. The store provided for her family, and it was all she knew, so she worked hard to pay off debts and keep the business afloat until her younger brothers took it over one by one. She was always proud of her time there and even more proud of how her youngest brother made Grove Market a household name. In 1958, her Uncle Kangalo helped her get a job as a cashier at the City & County Building where she worked many different jobs in the Treasurer's Office, Special Assessments and Engineering until she retired in 1992. She loved working in that beautiful building and reminisced about it often.
Tula was a shy, self-described "wall flower". Her life was forever changed when, on July 4, 1959 she was introduced to Pete Gamvroulas, a Greek immigrant who traveled to Utah just for the chance to meet her. His reaction was immediate and unbending and even though she had her doubts, Pete persevered and finally won her over. Tula and Pete were one of the world's great love stories. They married (eloped to Las Vegas actually) August 21, 1959 and their 53 year marriage was a beautiful partnership. They were inseparable and completely dedicated to each other. Yiayia and Papou worked hard, raised three sons, built a home of faith and comfort where they maintained their Greek culture and Orthodox traditions, traveled the world, and cherished their eight grandchildren. When Pete died in 2012, Tula was never the same, always longing, but still speaking as if he were just in the other room.
Tula was never comfortable in the spotlight, rather she focused on her home and family, making sure everyone was cared for and comfortable. Her three most important priorities were her husband, her grandchildren and what she had cooking in her kitchen. No one left her house hungry and until her final days she was making yemistes, spanakorizo and marmelada.
She was proceeded in death by her husband Pete, parents Peter and Christine, brothers Gus, Tony, George, Spero and Nick, sister Joanne and many beloved in-laws in Greece. She is survived by her three sons: Steve (Maria), Chris (Suzanne), George (Lainey), grandchildren Peter, Eleni, Andrew, Pisti, Elpitha, Georgia (Kent), Magdalene, and Christopher, sister Wilma, brother Jim, and many nephews and nieces in the U.S. and Greece. The family will be forever grateful for her loving caregivers and friends DJ, Ryan, Elsa, Danielle, Lisa, Chrissy, April, Jaclynn, Lavon, Gaylene, Madison, and many others. For someone who didn't get out much in her final years, Tula made a lot of friends.
A viewing will be held Sunday, December 12 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a Trisagion Service at 7:00, Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 South Highland Drive. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 13 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making a donation to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or a charity of your choice in Tula's memory.
AIONIA H MNHMH MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL
