Barbara Ann Glaser

Glaser, Barbara Ann

died in Tampa following a brief illness on March 7, 2026, a few weeks shy of her 92nd birthday. Born and raised in Parkersburg, WV, Barbara discovered her love of music while singing in church choir as a teenager, a practice she continued at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church in Valrico until her 91st birthday. By the age of 19, she saved enough money to purchase her prized piano, which traveled across the country with her. Not surprisingly, for most of her professional life, Barbara served as a church organist and choir director. A devotee of sacred music, opera, musicals, and Streisand, she was never happier than when singing first soprano in classical choral music or performing in a theater production. When not engaged with music, Barbara was an avid reader, a lover of flowers, a serial cat owner, a political junky, and a connoisseur of Chardonnay. Immaculately dressed and coiffed, she prided herself on staying fashionable even in her ninth decade of life.

Shortly after high school graduation, Barbara married Noel Wheaton and together they raised two children, Cynthia Wheaton Mikos Way, and Gregory Wheaton who both eventually settled in Florida. After the couple divorced, Barbara bravely left her hometown to spend a decade in Los Angeles, CA with her second husband, Richard Glaser, who introduced her to a new world where she learned to drive on its infamous expressways, eat sushi, and entertain among the Hollywood Hills she grew to love. However, after the 3rd earthquake and upon learning she was to be a grandmother, Barbara and Richard relocated to Seffner, FL in 1993 to be close to Cynthia's family and the first grandchild, Anne Mikos. Little did she know that four other grandchildren, Chase Wheaton, Carly Wheaton, Cori Wheaton, and Laura Mikos would arrive shortly thereafter. Upon settling here, Barbara and Richard found themselves deeply involved in family on the east and west coast of Florida as well as active in multiple community organizations, including the YMCA, Congregation Beth Shalom, and Holy Innocents. They doted on their grandchildren and developed a wide group of friends, living a rich and happy life until Richard's death in 2007. Barbara's strong network of family and friends plus participation in the church gave her joy for the remainder of her days. But, the light of her last few years was her great-grandson, Sullivan, who never ceased to amaze her.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Golden Thorne McCutcheon and Glenna Pauline Atkinson; her sister, Delores Jean Haines; and her husbands, Noel Wheaton and Richard Glaser. She is survived by her brother, James McCutcheon (Rebecca); her children; step-children; her grandchildren; her great-grandson, and numerous extended family members who will remember her fondly. A funeral service will be held at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church located at 604 Valrico Rd. in Valrico, FL on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 11 am with a reception in the parish hall to follow. For those wishing to make a contribution in Barbara's name, please consider your local YMCA, the Humane Society, or kidsPACK, a Lakeland food bank program supported by Holy Innocents supplementing meals for school aged children.

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