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| Mom in 2001 |
I actually saved her voicemail message to me from Nov. 1, 2013 and figured out a way to bring it to everyone. I thought it important to have mom's voice so I'll never forget how she sounded. She always thought that whenever she left a voicemail on my cell phone that I could hear it, so she kept talking, as it if were an answering machine connected to a home phone! So she'd keep saying "Pick up the Phone!"
CLICK HERE TO HEAR MY MOM's VOICE: Norma's Voicemail Message to Rob on 11-1-13
( http://youtu.be/NX-yobSxi3w)
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Following is my mom's eulogy, that was written by my younger brother Doug and spoken by him at her services at St. Ann's church in Quincy on January 2, 2014. Doug really captured the spirit and spunkiness of our mother, and who she was. I hope you'll read it, and get to know her a little. Doug did an amazing job on this and Tom and I thought it deserved to be memorialized on our blog. Thanks, Doug, and Happy birthday, Mom. Love, Rob and Tom
Mom’s
Eulogy – Jan 2, 2014
Written
and given by Doug Gutro
On
behalf of my brothers - Thank you all for coming and for your outpouring of love
and support.
Today
we Celebrate the life of our mother,
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| Mom at NASA in 2009 as an Astronaut! |
Born
in the depression - adored her parents Sarina and Giramondo Tutela, as well as
brother Ralph and she had the typical sister relationship our aunt Tillie. If you knew her, she was proud of her Italian
heritage.
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| Rob, Jill B., Mom, and Jim B. |
A few
months ago, she got to reminisce and reconnect with her cousin Rosalie who she
hadn’t seen in 50 years and who meticulously researched their Tutela family
back to Italy in the early 1800s. It was a special day, with photos of
relatives and ancestors – she knew all their names – wonderful stories, tears,
and laughter. I’m grateful to have shared
that walk down memory lane with my mom.
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| Franklin, Dolly and Cooper in 2009 with Mom in Md. |
As my
dad worked 3 jobs my mom raised 3 boys - many joyous and memorable holidays,
birthdays, and anniversaries growing up.
They went to steve’s band concerts, my basketball games, and supported
Rob in all he did.
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| Jill Beyer and Mom make faces |
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| Jeff and Mom joke around during dessert 2009 |
As my
dad’s career advanced and they traveled the U.S and to England. She had fond memories of
those days. This was their heyday - They were living the American dream.
As we
grew up and moved out, Mom & Dad became inseparable. Walking the neighborhood, working in the
yard, shopping, sharing a quiet meal at their favorite restaurants, playing
cards, and going bowling. She'd get dolled up as my dad sat on the porch
reading his book. He was proud to be
with her. The simple pleasures we all take for granted.
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| Mom insisted that Tom play the piano for her!! |
Kids
moved, married, time passed as it always does. We lost my dad 5 years ago. And
mom was never the same. Her soul mate, compass, North Star was gone. She
struggled mightily and we struggled to fill the void.
Her
life returned to making or maintaining her home and yard and affirming that clearly
she wasn't moving from the place she loved.
In
the good weather she was always doing Yard work - 5 ft firecracker with a saw
in one hand always cutting down some trees or branches – you’d think she lived
in a forest. A friend of mine who drove by, called me immediately after
witnessing the spectacle and asked why I’d let my 80 year old mother climb a
ladder and saw trees. You try to stop
her I said. We both laughed. He knew my
mom. Up until the end she was still
driving, shopping, visiting neighbors, looking good, and even wearing heels.
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| Mom at Christmas 2006 |
On a
personal note, she loved campaigning for me - Dropping flyers and holding
campaign signs – she was tireless and proud. One day while walking the
neighborhood she asked a man working in his yard if he'd put up a lawn sign for
me - little did she know he was running for same council seat as I - he was a
good sport and she made a new friend.
In
recent years, she spent time walking the neighborhood, bonding with neighbors
who always kept a watchful eye on her. She was Interested and opinionated on both
neighborhood issues and city wide issues. She was always weighing in with my
friend and her Ward Councilor Kevin Coughlin and I.
This
past week, our mom succumbed to the effects of a major stroke in the home she
loved.
When Mayor
learned about my mom’s stroke he was among the first to call and offer sympathy
or help in any way. I want personally thank him. And upon reflection, I may take him up on his
offer of help – Mr. Mayor - Councilor Coughlin and I put together a very long
list of my mother’s neighborhood concerns, which we’d be delighted to share
with you.
To
those who called her – especially her friend Jane Ricci who spoke to her every
day. Thank you. To those who visited her, Thank you. Those who invited her out
or took her into your home, Thank you. She couldn't replace what she lost in my
dad - but my brothers and I are forever grateful for your help in caring for
our mom during these past 5 years.
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| Rob's late dog Buzz, and Mom trying to get his attention! |
Let
me close with this story illustrating mom’s feisty spirit and desire to love
and be loved - more often than not since we were young boys up until this past
week my mom would always say to my brothers and I as we prepared to leave her
home - in her characteristically blunt and occasionally unsettling way - "kiss your mother it goodbye, it may
be the last time you see me."
Shaking our heads, we always obliged, never believing it was true,
always returning to hear it again. Sadly, this past week mom, that day has finally
come and with a heavy heart we reluctantly obliged. We love you mom.
Norma
G. (Tutela) Gutro, age 85, passed quietly from this life on Sunday,
December 29, 2013 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Norma was born
in East Boston and spent the majority of her life in Quincy. A devoted
mother and homemaker, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of
fifty-three years, Edward J. Buddy Gutro. Devoted mother of Stephen G.
Gutro and his wife Dawn of Marlboro, Robert J. Gutro and his husband Tom
Williams of MD, Douglas S. Gutro and his wife Susan of Quincy.
Cherished grandmother of Brian and Scott. Dear sister-in-law of
Josephine Tutela of Quincy. Loving aunt of Carol Ann Marx and John
Tutela both of Quincy. Cousin of Rosalie Tutela of Haverhill and Paul
Strati of Burlington. Norma loved dogs, especially her late poodle,
Gigi, and cocker spaniel, Penny. She was an avid seamstress, making her
own clothes, draperies and bedding. She loved to draw and paint, other
past times and interests included bowling, cooking and baking,
gardening, playing cards, entertaining and taking long walks. Norma and
her husband Edward loved to ballroom dance and took many trips together.
Funeral from the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence
Avenue, Quincy, Thursday, January 2nd at 9 a.m. Funeral Mass in Saint
Anns Church, 757 Hancock Street, Quincy at 10 oclock. Relatives and
friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the funeral home
Wednesday 3 | 7 p.m. Entombment Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. In lieu
of flowers, donations in Normas memory may be made to the Quincy Animal
Shelter, 56 Broad St., Quincy, MA 02169 or to the
