Cecile “Taffy” Armbruster, age 82, a longtime resident of Nashville, went to be with our Lord at peace and surrounded by her loved ones on May 28, 2026. She was born December 26, 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri to Margaret O’Connor Baragiola and John Martin Baragiola Sr.

Taffy was raised in St. Louis, where she met the love of her life, Gerry Armbruster, in high school. She was a graduate of St. Elizabeth Academy and Webster College. Taffy and Gerry married in 1965, and together they embarked on a life of adventure, beginning in St. Louis, then venturing to New Orleans, Memphis and eventually settling in Nashville, Tennessee, where they raised their family and built a home that was always filled with warmth, laughter, and an open door for all who entered.

Her Catholic faith was the very foundation of Taffy’s life. She was a founding member and devoted parishioner of St. Matthew Catholic Church in the Diocese of Nashville. Her faith was lived every single day through attending daily Mass, ministering to the homebound, participating faithfully in her Cursillo prayer groups and serving through the RCIA and Search programs for many years. In all of these ministries, Taffy radiated Christ’s love to everyone she served.

Taffy’s family was her world and she was their sunshine. She was deeply involved in every activity and school function her children participated in, giving of herself from the PTO to the soccer field and everywhere in between. She rarely missed a game or anything her children or grandchildren were doing. Beyond her family, she brought that same energy and dedication to her career in medical research at Vanderbilt University, where she thrived and was admired by all who worked alongside her.

Taffy was the life of every party she ever walked into. Whether she was on the tennis court, at the bowling lanes, or putting her creative talents to work, she brought joy, energy, and laughter with her everywhere she went. Her home was always full, and she would not have had it any other way.

Taffy was reunited in eternal peace with her beloved husband of 54 years, Gerry Armbruster Sr., and is now joyfully with her parents, Margaret and John Baragiola, brothers, John and Bill Baragiola and sister, Peggy Mauer.

She will be profoundly missed by her children: Gerry (Suzanne) Armbruster of Nashville; Kim (Tom) Davis of Birmingham, Alabama; Kevin Armbruster of Pensacola, Florida; and Allison (Scott) Acrey of Nashville. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Gerry III (Michelle), Mary (Chandler) Bueche, and John (Anna Brock) Armbruster; Hanna, Ellie, and Jackson Tew; Jade Armbruster; and Caroline and Cole Acrey; three beloved great-grandchildren: Celia Anne, James, and Abigail Armbruster; her sister, Nancy Anich; and a host of cherished relatives and friends whose lives she touched deeply. Their memories with her will be treasured always, and her absence deeply felt.

Visitation will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on Monday, June 29 from 9:00 to 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church, 535 Sneed Road W, Franklin, TN 37069.