Gloria Ann Tafelsky

Gloria Ann Tafelsky went home to be with her heavenly Father and reunited with her husband, Charles Paul Tafelsky on March 16, 2015.

Her life was a testimony to her strength, courage and faith; which lead her through both life's celebrations and it's hardships. Even after losing her husband of 53 years in 2005, her faith never wavered.

Gloria was born June 12, 1930, the daughter of George and Rachel (Borgenson) Shumsky. As a young girl, she grew up in Suttons Bay, with her brothers and sisters; Richard (Mary) Shumsky, Ray (Dee) Shumsky, Ruth (Herb) Curry, and Emma (Tony) Stayer.

She moved to Traverse City after marrying Charles Paul Tafelsky, a composing room editor for The Record Eagle, in May of 1952. She worked as a secretary for Consumers Power, but her life's work was raising 5 sons, Timothy (Luan) Mark (Mary), David (Susan), Robert (Mary Jo), Thomas (Linda) and one daughter, Jeanne (Curt) Wolf. Gloria and her family were always involved with church, school and community events.

Gloria was a woman of compassion and love. Throughout her life she contributed so much of herself to others; sewing costumes for school operettas and Cherry Festival Floats, cheerleading uniforms at Immaculate Conception, taking care of the neighborhood children, knitting mittens and mending clothes. She also found joy in baking bread, making cookies and canning. Charles and Gloria enjoyed taking trips to their cabin in the Upper Peninsula with his brother Len (Ginny).

Her 12 grandchildren, Isaac, Angel, LIsa, Tyler, Sierra, Zachary, Nathan, Sarah, Anastasia, Joshua, Maximus, Marcus and Jack and three step-grandchildren, Sean, Melissa, and Craig and many wonderful nieces and nephews, all brought great joy to her life. Charles and Gloria moved back to the peaceful atmosphere of Sutton Bay in 1980. The support of Gloria's family and friends in her hometown allowed the couple to reunite with dignity and grace.

Gloria was a long time member of St. Michael's Parish in Suttons Bay.

Visitation will take place on Monday, March 23 from 5 until 8 p.m. at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with the Rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Deacon Rene Hoenscheid will lead the Rosary. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 24 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Suttons Bay with Rev. Fr. Leonard Paul as presider. Burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for distribution at a later date.

Please share your memories of Gloria and thoughts you'd like to share with the family by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.