Gloria Marie Tummillo Wheat

August 8, 1931 – June 20, 2023

The bright light in the lives of many loved ones was dimmed with the passing of Gloria Wheat in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida at the age of 91. Gloria was born in Trenton, New Jersey and raised on “Pheasant Hill Farm” in Westwood, Massachusetts, relocating to West Palm Beach, Florida in the 1950s. Growing up, Gloria studied music and art at the Boston School of Practical Art, the Boston University College of Music and the Saltman School of Modern Music. Gloria funded her musical education with performances in clubs throughout New England and on Palm Beach, as well as serving as a statistician for Little Brown Publishing Co. in Boston.

Gloria worked on the island of Palm Beach for three winters in the 1950s before meeting her eventual husband, Paul Henry Wheat, a respected local master electrician, World War II veteran and graduate of Palm Beach High School. They married in Gloria’s hometown church in Westwood, MA in 1957 and eventually raised two sons, Paul (born 1959) and Tim (born 1963). After raising her children, Gloria resumed her education and received a degree from Palm Beach State College, then embarked on a 15-year career as a teacher’s aide in the Palm Beach County School District, focusing on children with special needs.

Gloria was involved in numerous organizations and charities, all of whom benefitted from her generosity of spirit and passion. She was a member of the American Business Women’s Association for over 30 years, elected President of her chapter on three occasions and was twice named “Woman of the Year.” In her late 70s, Gloria served as a citizen patrol officer for the City of West Palm Beach Police Department, working to keep her community safe.

Gloria was passionate about the promise of America, the wisdom of its Founding Fathers and the journey to form a more perfect union. She was an avid reader and history buff, legendary cook, enjoyer of both entertaining at home and fine dining in the area’s local establishments, and very spiritual. Gloria had a love for animals of all kinds, but especially her dogs Sugar and Rocco, and her parrot Figaro.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Paul Henry Wheat, and her parents Peter and Zoë Tummillo. She leaves behind her two sons Paul Gregory Wheat and Timothy Peter Wheat, her beloved grandson Wesley Philip Wheat, as well as her siblings: sister Zoë Tummillo, brother Peter Tummillo, Jr. (Mary) and brother Bob Tummillo (Maureen). Gloria loved them and her extended family with her whole heart.

Gloria believed in the healing power and affirmation of life provided by hospice, and both Gloria and her beloved husband Paul received essential end-of-life care. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be mailed in her name to Morse Life Hospice, 4847 David S. Mack Drive, West Palm Beach FL 33417.