Gloria Theresa Volpe

Gloria Theresa Volpe (Cavalieri), age 77, of North Denver, Colorado, passed away on October 15, 2024, surrounded by her family. Gloria, fondly known by her friends and family as Glo, was born on January 5, 1947, in Denver as the youngest daughter of Ernest and Theresa Cavalieri and sister to George Cavalieri (Leslie). She was a devoted wife to Mike for 60 years, a loving mother to her two daughters, Michelle (John Tricarico) and Gina (Mike Beasley); a grandmother to Gianna (Aaron Gjersee), Kate (Josh Brown), Julia, John Michael (Lexy), and Mia; and aunt to David (Cherie, Liam and Owen), Jordan (Robbie), and Jane (Eric and Sloane).

In 1965, in North Denver Mike and Gloria were married. Growing up, Glo kept Mike, Michelle, and Gina busy with her light-hearted spirit and passion for the life they all shared together. Glo graduated from Marycrest Girls High School and Beauty School in 1965, when she then started doing hair at Snow White Beauty. Shortly after she began seeing clients, Glo opened her home beauty shop, where she continued to do hair for 59 years until October 2024.

Service remained an essential value for Gloria until her final day. When Glo turned 13, she got her first volunteer job at Mount Saint Vincent Home, pressing the nuns' habits. She later was able to play with the kids and, as an adult, became a Visiting Friend for Mount Saint Vincent, where she and Mike hosted children on weekends, and later became an Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. As time went on, Gloria was known for bringing loved ones into her circle and imparting pieces of her giving soul to them. Over the years, many friends were seen with her creating holiday bags, wrapping gifts at Mount Saint Vincent, helping with school bags for Food for Thought, or working on special projects she created on her own.

Gloria was a pillar of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Glo served as the president of the Altar & Rosary Society for many years and led in a variety of capacities for the Church, fondly becoming known as the go-to person if you needed help. In 2018, Glo and Mike were recognized for their devoted faith to Our Lady of Mount Carmel by receiving the Silver Cross award. Glo will be affectionately remembered by the entire church community as the “Queen of Meatballs” for her contribution to the Annual Bazaar and her delicious homemade sauce.

Seventy-seven years later, Gloria is remembered by those who knew her for her servant's heart, short spiky hair, love of funky clothes, fantastic cooking, and loving disposition. While the loss of Glo will always be felt by her family and friends, they will continue to live for her and remember her request to “always love and be kind to each other.”

Services will be held on October 30, 2024, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church (3549 Navajo St, Denver, Colorado 80211) at 9:30 a.m. for the Rosary, followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass and a reception to follow at Sons and Daughters of Italy (5925 W 32nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80212). 

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Glo’s honor to:

Food for Thought - Food for Thought Denver here

Mount Saint Vincent Home - Mount Saint Vincent Home here

St Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church Sandwich Line - Sandwich Line Ministry here