TODAY’S OBITS
• Mary Theresa (Gillen) Fagan
Mary Theresa (Gillen) Fagan went home to Our Lord on June 28th, in her home, surrounded by family. Born January 30, 1927 in Glenolden. She attended Saint Gabriel grade school in Norwood in the original four-room, two grades per classroom schoolhouse. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in Moylan in 1944, where she excelled in math and mechanical drawing. And then, within the Engineering, Science, and Management War Training Program authorized by the United States Office of Education, Mary completed courses in Elements of Engineering S-V at Drexel Institute of Technology, and Engineering Drawing and Math, at Swarthmore College. Immediately thereafter she went to work in the engineering/ mechanical drawing department at Westinghouse.
She married Martin J. Fagan on May 27, 1950, and they enjoyed over 56 years of marriage. In the early years they enjoyed bowling, Irish Dancing, and Big Five games (rooting for the St. Joe Hawks). They loved their time in Brigantinemuch more than a summer home! During the latter years they adored all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout their lives they always loved the company of two great families and many life-long friends.
Mary was faithful and very devoted to the Good God, praying daily for all those in need, expecting Moms, etc. She was the ultimate caregiver, providing excellent care to all those she loved. She was passionately loyal to family and friends, never failing to remember and return a good deed, or care for or visit a sick relative or friend- and she’d bring along a homemade meal or cake/pie with her, or both!
“Meemo” was an awesome grandmom and great-grandmom to 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, with another on the way!
She was predeceased by her husband Martin, granddaughter Melanie Maleike, parents Edward and Margaret (Hallinan) Gillen, brother Edward and sister-in-law Eleanor Gillen, sister Margaret and brother-in-law Andrew Finley, sisters Alice Gillen, SND and Catherine Gillen, SND, and niece Maureen (Gillen) Finnegan.
She is survived by her children: Marty (Kate), Mary (Larry) Maleike, Michael, Bill (Lucille), Ed (Rita Burdziak), Joe (Donna) and Jim; and in-laws Sister Anne William, SSJ, Mary Dougherty, Dorothy Scanlan, Joe (Jan) Fagan and Paul (Barbara) Fagan.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 3rd, at 11 A.M. at St Gabriel Catholic Church, 233 Mohawk Avenue, in Norwood, Pa. 19074. Friends may call on Monday, July 2nd, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. and on Tuesday, July 3rd, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa. 19074. Her burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Carmelite Monastery, 1400 66th Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19126 would be appreciated.
Condolences may be sent to griffithfuneralchapel@verizon.net. Arrangements are by the Griffith Funeral Chapel in Norwood, Pa. www. griffithfuneralchapel.com