Gloria Calkins

Age 99, of Pittsburgh, passed away on June 24, 2024, after leading a long, rich life. Daughter of the late Hugo Pofi and Anntoinette Tamburino Pofi. Beloved mother of Robert Calkins, Rosemary Fellmeth (Fred Fellmeth) and Regina Fieschko (Joseph Fieschko). Dearest grandmother of Matthew Fellmeth (Krista Aspiras), Scott Fellmeth (Cait Fellmeth), Zander Fieschko (Marissa Bergman) and Robbie Calkins. Loving Great-grandmother of Nolan Fellmeth, Max Fellmeth, Elliott Fellmeth and Lucia Fellmeth.

Gloria was born May 26, 1925, and grew up in Pittsburgh’s Little Italy, East Liberty.  Virtually all of her neighbors were Italian, and many of them were relatives.  People were constantly in and out of the house where her aunt, Mary Tamburino, was always standing at the stove offering something to eat. Gloria’s father was a stonemason from outside of Rome and her mother was from the United States.  Her father owned his own business in Larimer, carving tombstones.  He sometimes worked in other areas, notably, creating the mosaic on the floor of the main room of Phipps Conservatory, which still greets visitors and serves as a compass for the observant.

Gloria attended Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Mellon, majoring in fine arts with a focus on sculpture. She was transferring to art school in Italy but the war broke out and canceled her plans.  She worked as a legal secretary at her son-in-law’s law firm until she retired at ninety-one. Gloria not only learned to become a skilled legal secretary, but she served as a model and mentor to many young secretaries, and even some of the young attorneys, who came up through the firm.

Gloria was a great dancer and joined a theatrical group called The Independents.  The group played show tunes at a dinner theatre at the Crown Plaza in Moon.  They also brought their shows to nursing homes and even played in Las Vegas on several occasions.  They counted among their members Josie Carey. She also was the favorite babysitter for her grandchildren, who all loved her greatly.  Gloria was the strength of the family.  Her children will miss her humor, love and friendship.

Family and Friends welcome Monday, July 8th, from 4-6 PM, Laughlin Cremation and Funeral Tributes, 222 Washington Rd., Mount Lebanon, 15216. The blessing service and interment will be private to the family. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org

www.laughlinfuneralhome.com

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