Surrounded by family and love, Sarah Elizabeth Ann McGinty Gildea entered into heaven on April 16, 2017. Born May 5, 1921, she may have spent much time on this planet, but she remained extremely young at heart all her life. Known to her close friends as Betty, she was the daughter of Mary Roche McGinty and John McGinty. She lived most of her life in Inkerman and Wyoming, PA before moving to Wilmette, IL, and later to the sunny and warm climate of Naples, FL.
She grew up during the depression, losing her father at an early age, which brought her family very close supporting their mother. Betty never forgot the lessons learned during those years about what was truly important in life, and passed them on to her children and grandchildren at every opportunity. Betty and Joe (the love of her life) raised four beautiful children. After Joe passed to the next life, she then was blessed to be able to implant her special spirit in each of her 11 grandchildren, giving selflessly to all of her family when needed. She told countless stories of her life and the people she touched and those that touched her. Many of these stories will be forever remembered and retold by her grandchildren. When you met her, you knew something was special, beautiful, and unique about this woman, and she left you with a smile. Betty loved a good party, and never passed an opportunity to join in. She left her mark on politics, having served a term as auditor of Jenkins Township, and was very involved in the election process in her younger years. She was preceded in death by her husband James Joseph Gildea, daughter Marianna Gildea Smith, parents John and Mary Roche McGinty, brothers John P. McGinty and Terry McGinty, sisters Romayne Moore Morgan and Ann Marie McGinty. Betty is survived by her son Jimmy Gildea and his wife Eilis (Williamsburg, VA), 2 daughters; Betty Ann Manganaro and husband Mike (Wilmette, IL) and Judy Guthrie and husband Tom (Naples, FL), son-in-law Chuck Smith (Wyoming), 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Mary Catherine McGinty, (Inkerman).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 in St. Francis Xavier Church, Wilmette, IL. A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, April 24, 2017 at 7:00pm in St. Barbara’s Parish, 28 Memorial Street, Exeter. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105. Local arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston.