Gloria Tuttle Obituary

Tuttle
Gloria Rose Barbara
(Shapiro) Tuttle
May 13, 1929
November 24, 2025

Gloria Rose Barbara (Shapiro) Tuttle, age 96, died peacefully at her home in Colorado Springs on November 24, 2025.

Gloria was born on May 13, 1929 in New Rochelle, New York to George Shapiro and Theresa (DiBuono) Shapiro. Known for her beauty and elegance, she grew up in a boisterous, multi-generational Italian home with her younger sisters Ann and Georgina.

After graduating from Albert Leonard High School in New Rochelle, Gloria became a secretary at an Air Force office 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. Gloria and Joe got married in June 1951 after a whirlwind romance, and their daughter Barbara Jo Tuttle was born in 1953.

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. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1966 after being stationed in Japan, Puerto Rico, and Texas.

Gloria was deeply committed to her Catholic faith and her church community. Shortly after Joe died in 2001, Gloria became the very first volunteer at the Catholic Center at the Citadel. She 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. She loved each of them 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.

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.