Celia "Picce" Gellman Glast

Celia Gellman Glast, beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, passed away in Palm Desert, CA, on February 19, 2023, after a valiant fight with many health challenges over the last few years. Celia, known to all as Picce, was born to Celia Stahl Gellman and Saul Morris Gellman in Gonzalez, TX, on August 11, 1945. Growing up in Austin, TX, she was surrounded by family and friends, active in Congregation Beth Israel and BBYO and was an accomplished pianist. She graduated from McCallum High School. In 1966 Picce earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. While at UT she was active in Sigma Delta Tau sorority, serving as president of the chapter and a lifelong devotee. As a young professional, Picce moved to New York to work for Gimbels, becoming the youngest buyer at a national department store chain at the time. Shortly after, Titche-Goettinger (later known as Titche’s) recruited her as the first woman hired to the position of merchandise manager at their flagship store in Dallas. In 1974, she married Robert “Bob” Glast and moved to Odessa, TX, where they raised their two daughters, Rachel and Deborah. Picce was an esteemed member of the Odessa community, where she was an entrepreneur, establishing her own successful small business, “Pixie’s,” specializing in party planning, invitations and lifecycle events. As an integral part of people’s lives, she planned special celebrations. She was an avid volunteer and dedicated friend. Her embroidery and needlepoint creations are still prized possessions of many. As an active member of the Jewish community, she served as President of Temple Beth El in Odessa, not once but twice. In addition, she served as Sisterhood president multiple times and was a lifetime member of Hadassah. In 1997, family and friends gathered when she was honored for her dedication to the State of Israel and commitment to the Israel Bonds program. Picce was a true Mahjong maven, playing weekly games, teaching classes and even coordinating a community-wide tournament. In addition, she enjoyed all kinds of card games, including duplicate bridge, canasta and gin rummy. Bob said he “still owes her a trillion dollars” from their ongoing gin game. More than anything, Picce was devoted to her family. Her husband and daughters were the lights of her life. She adored her nephews, niece, and extended family and was a lifelong friend to many. Nothing gave her more pleasure than celebrating holidays with her family, bringing people together as the consummate hostess. After moving to Palm Desert, CA, she became involved with Temple Sinai, played Mahjong with new friends, and enjoyed attending art fairs and live performances. Predeceased in death by her parents, she is survived by her husband Bob Glast, her daughters Rachel Glast and Deborah Glast, her brother Steven Gellman (Lynne), her sister Tobi Gellman, brother-in-law Sam Glast (Lili), niece Becca Gellman (Andy Goldenberg), nephews Jason Glast (Kathryn), Joshua Lebowitz (Alexis), Zachary Lebowitz (Kelsi), and Jay Gellman (Dana). Graveside services will be Friday, February 24, 2023, at 10:00 am in the Temple Beth Shalom section of Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Dr., Austin, TX 78731. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Texas Freedom Network Education Fund, Temple Beth Shalom or American Liver Foundation. To stream the funeral, please go to the Austin Natural Funerals Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinNaturalFunerals. A Facebook account is not required in order to view. If a pop-up window appears asking you to log in, click "not now" and the livestream will be available for you to view. If the "not now" button does not appear, scroll down on the page and it will come up for you to select.

Celia "Picce" Gellman Glast

August 11, 1945 - February 19, 2023