Gloria Antilla Claudet, 95, known to her friends as “Glo,” departed this life on November 24, 2019 at her home in
Southbury, surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Henri Claudet. Gloria was born
in Asbury Park, New Jersey in 1923 to the late James and Elizabeth (Kirwin) Jennings. Her family later
moved to New York City and then to New Rochelle, New York. She graduated from The Ursuline School
in New Rochelle in 1942.
For more than three decades, Gloria sold real estate at Emile Rellstab Real Estate in New Rochelle,
gaining a reputation for professionalism and integrity that led to generations of families entrusting their
purchases and sales to her. In 1974, she earned MAI status as a real estate appraiser, the highest
standing available to an appraiser.
Gloria married Henri Claudet in 1964, combining her family of three children with his family of six – John,
Suzanne, Cathleen, Diane, Denise and Janine Claudet. Along with the responsibilities of a full-time job
and a household of 11 people, she attended The College of New Rochelle in in the 1970s, studying
philosophy and psychology.
She was the ultimate hostess. She and Henri hosted gala parties on Bastille Day (he was born in Paris)
where French flags flew over culinary feasts in their back yard. They hosted Christmas, Thanksgiving and
scores of birthday parties for their children and other relatives. Even in her final days, she talked about
having a holiday party at her condo in Heritage Village.
And she was a faithful student of her favorite sports team, The New York Yankees. Anyone who had not
kept up with the team’s latest victories, failures and injuries could simply pick up the phone and call Glo
for a succinct update.
Gloria is survived by her children and their spouses: Donald Antilla of Southbury and his wife Linda;
Robert Antilla of New Fairfield and his wife Suzanne; and Susan Antilla of Bridgeport and her significant
other, Christopher Rackliffe. She cherished her four grandchildren: Matthew Burdsall of Bridgeport,
Michael Antilla of Huntington Beach, California, Karen Antilla Bowman of Southlake, Texas, and
Christopher Antilla of Woodbury. And nothing brought her more joy than to visit with her great-
grandchildren Parker Antilla of Woodbury, and Ashlyn, Anderson and Aubrey Bowman of Southlake,
Texas, all of whom knew her as “Gigi.” Her siblings, James Jennings, Frank Jennings and Elizabeth
Franklin, predeceased her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart
Church in Southbury. The family will receive visitors on Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 2:00 PM to 5:00
PM at Carpino Funeral Home, 750 Main St. South., Southbury. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
on Tuesday, December 10th at noon. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit
www.CarpinoCares.com.
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