Gloria Jean (Lestini) Talarico, 83, devoted wife of Philip L. Talarico, passed away in the early morning on Monday, January 22, 2024, in New Britain, CT after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

She was born on August 4, 1940 in New Britain, CT, the eldest child of Gregory and Lena (Daversa) Lestini, and was raised in New Britain with her two younger sisters, Vicki and Rose, as part of a large and loving extended family. A lifelong resident, Gloria graduated from New Britain High School in 1958 with a passion for playing music and plans to become a teacher. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University in 1962, before later returning to earn her Master's degree as well. She married her husband and partner of 62 years, Phil, on September 2, 1961 and together they shared their lives in love and raised their three sons: Jimmy, Gary, and Philip.

Gloria began her career as a dedicated elementary school teacher in New Britain public schools where she worked for many years before eventually taking a position at St. Mary School in Newington, CT. There she taught, cared for, and nurtured her many students for the rest of her career, until her retirement in 2006. Throughout her life, she was also a faithful parishioner of St. Ann Church in New Britain, where she volunteered, sang in the choir, and served as both a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Gloria was a deeply religious woman who truly strove to apply her Christian values to all she did.

A beloved daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother, Gloria exemplified what it means to be a family matriarch. She valued making memories and sharing meaningful experiences with those she loved. She enjoyed traveling both in the United States and abroad, seeing shows, and attending sports games. As both a gifted baker and cook, Gloria never missed an opportunity to bring her family and friends together around a delicious Italian meal to mark a holiday, birthday, or simply Sunday supper. Her caring spirit, kindness, generosity, and loving nature was unmatched and she will be deeply missed by all that were fortunate to know her.

Gloria is survived by her husband Philip Talarico, her sons, James; Gary (and his step-daughter Ashley Merrill); and Philip (Rebecca) Talarico, her sisters, Victoria (Paul) Wetowitz and Rosemarie Lestini, her niece Renae Wetowitz, her nephew Ryan (Cristina) Wetowitz and their children, Drew and Carson, many cousins, extended family, and friends who will keep her memory alive, and her granddaughter, Alicia Talarico (and her partner Pete Howard), with whom she shared a special and unbreakable bond. In addition to her parents, she is also predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Rebecca Rodriguez Talarico, and many aunts and uncles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday (January 27, 2024) at 10:30 AM, at St. Joachim Parish in St. Ann Church, 101 North St. New Britain. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Committal Service and final resting place will be in St. Mary Cemetery, 1141 Stanley St. New Britain. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, January 26, 2024 from 5 to 7 PM at the Shaker-Hill Funeral Home (Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home), 764 Farmington Ave. New Britain. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, CT Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd. #4B, Southington, CT 06489 or to St. Ann Church, 101 North St., New Britain, CT. 06051. To share a memory of Gloria or to send condolences to the Talarico Family please visit www.shakerfuneralhome.com.