Mary Gavigan Milita
Mary Gavigan Milita, affectionately known as “Betty,” 89, of Langhorne, died Saturday Oct. 13, 2012 at the Attleboro Nursing Center in Langhorne.
Born in Vineland, N.J., daughter of the late Walter and Mary Elizabeth Maguire Gavigan, Betty formerly resided in Morrisville and Newtown before moving to Attleboro Retirement Village 11 years ago.
She enjoyed a career with New Jersey Bell Telephone Company where she managed a team of operators in the 1940s and returned as an operator in the 1970s after raising her children.
Betty and her husband, Martin J. Milita, were among the active, founding parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Church and School in Lower Makefield. There, she contributed in a range of capacities, serving as the third president of the Ladies of St. John’s, chairing the annual bazaar, and volunteering tirelessly in the school and for numerous special events.
She was a member and officer of the Lower Makefield Women’s Club, a member of the Newtown Civic and Historic Association, a volunteer at Chandler Hall in Newtown and a docent at the Court Inn, also in Newtown.
Betty was an extraordinary mother and grandmother and friend to many. In addition to devoting herself to family, work, and community service, she was an avid bridge player, antique collector, and reader.
Wife of the late Martin J. Milita, Betty is survived by three loving children, Maribeth Reigner of Palm, Martin J. Milita Jr. of Annandale, N.J., and Patricia M. Foster of Medfield, Mass., their spouses, Peter h. Reigner, Janet D. Milita, and Gary F. Foster, a brother, Walter Gavigan of Ocean City, N.J., and six adoring grandchildren, Sarah Reigner Mason, Nathan P. Reigner, Samantha Milita Pitcher, Susannah G. Foster, Brian J. Foster, and Olivia M. Foster. Betty was the sister of the late Joseph and Jack Gavigan.
A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 24 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 752 Big Oak Road in Lower Makefield.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Attleboro Retirement Community Scholarship Fund, 290 East Winchester Avenue, Langhorne 19047.