Gloria Altman

1931 ~ 2023

Gloria Seckler Altman, 92 of Salt Lake City, Utah and Prospect, Kentucky passed away on July 23, 2023.

Gloria was born on April 8, 1931 in the Bronx, New York City. She met the love of her life, Irwin Altman, in high school. They spent hours at Maxie's, the corner candy store, where their budding romance grew. After a four-year separation while she attended college in New Paltz, New York to earn her teaching degree, she and Irwin ran into each other on Reservoir Avenue in the Bronx. This chance encounter resulted in a literal made for TV wedding, a 70-year marriage, and an enduring love story.

She and Irwin made a life together in College Park, MD, Harrisburg, PA, and Northern Virginia, until they decided to move west in 1969 to their beloved Salt Lake City, Utah. They lived in Salt Lake City for over 50 years where they raised their children, had productive careers, made life-long friends, and retired. Gloria came to love Utah. She would bask in the sun for hours overlooking Salt Lake valley from their East Bench home, enjoying the spectacular sunsets and waiting anxiously at the window for her husband and children to return home safely from skiing. For the last three years, Gloria and Irwin lived in North Carolina and Kentucky to be closer to family.

Gloria had a productive career, first as an elementary school teacher in Maryland and Pennsylvania, then as a travel agent and office manager for over 20 years at Clawson Travel in Salt Lake City. She loved reading, listening to music, knitting, entertaining, dancing, camping, and being among friends. More than anything, Gloria thrived in supporting and taking care of other people – her husband in his demanding career, her children, her adored grandchildren, her mother, travel clients, co-workers, neighbors, and many others. Her smile and laugh lit up countless rooms. Her warmth and kindness were abundant and ever-present.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Augusta Seckler and her brother, Howard Seckler. Gloria is survived by her husband of 70 years, Irwin Altman; their children, David G. Altman (Judith) and William M. Altman (Carlyn); Grandchildren Rebecca Budak (Alex Budak), Emily Altman (Andrew Braunstein), Daniel Altman, and Alayna Altman; and great grandson, Asher Budak.

Friends are welcome to express their condolences to the family on Sunday, July 30th, 2023 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the University of Utah Alumni House (155 Central Campus Drive).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Gloria Altman to a charity of choice.