Gloria H. Obermiller

Gloria Helen Obermiller of Columbia, Maryland passed away on Saturday, May 24 at the age of 90.  Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 14, 1934 to Dominick and Mary Cupuro who both emigrated from Italy, she was very proud of her Italian heritage and always referred to herself as “FBI” (Full blooded Italian).  The youngest of 11 children (she always reminded us that baby Phillip died as an infant), Gloria’s mother was pregnant with her as Gloria’s oldest sister was also pregnant…aunt and nephew born just a few months apart.  She was the last remaining Cupuro as all Gloria’s siblings, and all their spouses predeceased her.

Born with a hearing loss (like some of her siblings), she attended Haines Elementary School where they taught deaf children.  She subsequently transferred to Ephphteta School for the Deaf.  She graduated from Lake View High School.

It was during high school that she was invited to a friend’s home and met Gail Obermiller.  They dated for about 5 years, spending many weekends frolicking at the beaches of Lake Michigan with their friends. Deaf since birth, Gail had never learned ASL sign language.  So, Gloria taught him.  When Gail was finally 21 years old, they married in 1957.  Dad converted to be Catholic to share her faith and raise their children Mary, Joseph and Helen.  With Helen only a few months old, they relocated to Maryland in 1966 for Gail’s new job.  They joined the St Louis Parish in Clarksville.

A *FABULOUS* Italian cook, many of her foods were legendary.  For many years, for the bake sale stand of St Louis’ Clarksville Picnic, she would make several dozen loves of homemade bread …all hand kneaded…before bread machines.  Her Italian cookies were made by the hundreds and distributed to family, friends and school.  Condolences received cited how their children remembered and loved them.  Even two of her grandchildren composed a song about them.  She would deliver huge batches of her homemade potato salad to a close family friend, and the husband would get his own special bowl protected from the rest of the family so that he could make his potato salad sandwiches.  She treated other children as her own and loved them through her cooking.  But the pinnacle of culinary perfection was her authentic made-from-scratch Italian pasta and sauce.  WAIT!  She would be rolling in her grave if we didn’t say that in Chicago (and apparently Philadelphia and parts of NY) we call it macaroni and gravy.  In 2023, with Covid behind us, we gathered all her children, their spouses, and each of her four grandchildren together for a day-long “Ravioli” lesson to finally learn the art, complete with meatballs, braciole, Italian sausage and, of course, the gravy.  Working in multiple stations, in assembly line fashion, we recorded every step to capture this treasured delicacy we all craved.  We also tried to write the recipe down, but she didn’t measure anything.  It was all done by look and feel.  By the end of the very late day, enjoying the fruits of our labor, we were taught another lesson…just how hard she worked for us (and her mother before her) to feed her family.

Gloria loved her grandchildren.  We all remember when Maurita, the first grandchild, arrived in the midst of a huge snow and ice storm.  An enthusiastic supporter of her son Joe and later her grandson Maverick’s football years at Maryland School for the Deaf, she never missed a game, even traveling to the away games in all her personalized MSD gear.  She loved attending her granddaughter Molly’s softball games.  And grandson Joey was always the best hugger.  All the grandchildren would giggle when she tried to be sneaky and slip them some money every time they came for a visit.

Gloria was very generous of heart, especially with older people.  While still living in Chicago, she cooked and cleaned for her parents every day.  After moving to Maryland, she gravitated towards the elderly, befriending them, taking them to appointments, etc….  For many years, she and a friend prepared and delivered gift bags of treats for all the children at Viva House in Baltimore City.  And she would cook 40 pounds of chicken each month for Our Daily Bread.

Gloria loved Shirley Temple movies and the Hallmark channel, especially at Christmas.  A big Ravens fan, you couldn’t be in the same room with her when she was watching…way too intense.  But her favorite hobby was BINGO.  Every Clarksville Picnic you could find her in the Bingo Hall from opening to the full-card BINGO ending.

Gloria and Gail celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip of a lifetime to Italy.  Ultimately, they celebrated 68 years together.  The family is comforted knowing that we were able to get her to her 90th birthday party last November, where friends and family flew in to celebrate.

We will remember her funny sayings that she twisted in her own fashion (e.g., “let’s play it by the ears”, “the International House of Panny Cakes”, …).  And right now, we are probably apologizing to her as she often said she didn’t like the smell of roses because it reminded her of a funeral home.

Gloria is predeceased by her parents (Dominick/Mary) and her siblings (Della, John, Phillip, Mike, James, Angelo, Teresa, Carmella, Dominick, Marie).

Gloria is survived by her husband Gail, daughter Mary (Bob) Comer, son Joseph (Laureen) Obermiller, daughter Helen (Bill) Miller, and grandchildren Maurita (fiancé James), Maverick, Molly, and Joey.

The family is ever so grateful for the love, support, thoughts, and especially prayers for her and the family.  Your prayers have made a huge difference.

“Eternal rest grant unto Gloria, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.  May her soul rest in peace.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to:

Deaf Ministry of the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

Archdiocese of Baltimore

Cathedral Street

Department of Advancement, 4th Floor

Baltimore, MD   21201

NOTE:  To donate to Deaf Ministry by check, write the check to the “Annual Appeal”. Specify that it is for “Deaf Ministry Only, in memory of Gloria Obermiller” on the memo line and with an accompanying note. Mail the check to the above address.

A Visitation will be held at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville on Wednesday June 4, 2025 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church Chapel on Thursday June 5, 2025 at 1:30pm.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  As the main church will be closed while undergoing roof renovations, the Funeral Mass will be held in the 1889 stone chapel facing Route 108.  The chapel has 3 steps to enter (no ramp).  Bathrooms will be available only in the main building, not the chapel.  Limited handicap parking is available immediately next to the chapel, but abundant parking is available on the campus.

Interment will follow after funeral mass at CrestLawn Memorial Gardens. A reception will immediately follow, location will be announced at graveside.