Gloria Carol Weiss

Gloria Carol Weiss, 83, of Sterling Heights, passed away on Saturday afternoon at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Weiss was born on May 10, 1932 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Emile J. and Blanche (nee Breault) Gariepy. She was the youngest of their four children. At the time she was in eighth grade her family moved to Detroit. Miss Gariepy later graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School. After high school she worked as an office manager for a physician, Dr. Epstein. She was very bright, with exceptional attention to detail, intelligent and with a phenomenal memory for numbers, birthdates and such. She beat nearly everyone in Scrabble and reached a “bucket list” goal of scoring 500 points. She was introduced by friends to a young Navy man and later married him, becoming Mrs. Frank R. Weiss. When Dr.Epstein retired, she later cared for her mother and her father in her home. Gloria Carol also began work in the school system as a lunch Mom at Maple Lane Elementary. By the time of her retirement she had worked her way to Head Cook at Sterling Heights High School. One of the advantages of her work within the school system was that she would have her summers free when her children were not in school. This allowed for the Weiss famous family trip to the shores of Grand Traverse Bay and Traverse City, a tradition that continued for over 20 years. Once she and Frank bought a home in Florida the Traverse City vacations were replaced by spring break visits by the family to their Florida home. She lived for her family both her children and grandchildren remember her and Frank as “the best Grandparents ever!!!”After losing her husband in October of 2008, she maintained her strength and loyalty to her family as its true matriarch. Among her hobbies she enjoyed ceramics, tatting, crocheting, crafts, and sewing. She was so good at sewing she made her own curtains and Michael remembers a bed spread she made for him. She always kept very busy. While her body succumbed to illness her mind did not. She remained dignified and always the “mother” not wanting to burden her children. Her strength and character shone past her illness with the staff of the rehabilitation center, addressing the staff with a smile and an endearment for each.

Gloria Carol Weiss is survived by her four children, Michael R. (Jeanne) Weiss, Susan M. (John) Demeniuk, Gregory F. (Belinda) Weiss and David J. “Smidge” (Sherri) Weiss; six grandchildren, Michael Weiss, Christopher Demeniuk, Jenna (Michael) VanCouwenberghe, Kyle (Ashley Curtiss) Demeniuk, Lyn Weiss and Nicholas Weiss; and two great-grandchildren, Stella and Ayla VanCouwenberghe. Mrs. Weiss was predeceased by her husband, Frank R. Weiss; son, Steven Mark Weiss; grandson, David Domanski; sisters, Gilberte Haury and Carmen Walczak; and brother, George Gariepy.

Friends may visit from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Kaul Funeral Home 35201 Garfield Road, Clinton Township. Visitation continues at St. Blase Catholic Church on Wednesday March 16 from 9:00 a.m. until the Mass of the Resurrection at 9:30 a.m. Private cremation services will take place following mass. Please share a memory with the Weiss family at Gloria Carol's online guestbook.