Mary Teresa Gavigan, 93, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, died peacefully in Lombard, Illinois, on July 31, 2018. She was the wife of the late John J. Gavigan, who died in August of 2014. They were happily married for 61 years.
Mary Teresa was born in Avoca, Pennsylvania, to the late Edward P. and Mary Hastings Loftus, on May 17, 1925. She was the oldest of four children and graduated from Duryea High School. In her earlier years, she worked as a bookkeeper for Main Pants, Loretta Frocks, and Pittston Fashions. Her last job before retirement was as bookkeeper for Seton Catholic High School.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She enjoyed life to the fullest, and her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She had close relationships with her siblings and their families, and she had many friends and neighbors whom she cherished throughout her life. She kept in close touch with her childhood friends from Avoca, and she spent many enjoyable afternoons and evenings with her neighbors on Broad Street and her friends from Pittston. Her family, friends, and faith were most important to her. Mary Teresa was devoted to her husband and family and loved having lunch and dinner with her close friends, playing cards, shopping, summer vacations in Stone Harbor, N.J., visits with her grandchildren, fashion, a good book, politics, and animated conversations. Her survivors include daughters, Teresa (Larry Besnoff), Philadelphia; Ellen (Robert Loughney), Loudonville, N.Y.; Margaret (Barry Isenman), Downers Grove, Il.; Grace (Richard Weaver), Greenville, N.C.; son, John J. Gavigan (Suzanne), Downers Grove Il.; grandchildren, Kate Loughney (Nicholas Peters); Nora Loughney (Joseph Ritinski); Grace Loughney (Timothy Harrington); Sarah Besnoff (Eric Stahl); Rachel Besnoff (Michael Bender); Lauren and Matthew Isenman, Gabrielle, Faith, and Lorelei Weaver; great-grandson Charles Peters; sister, Katherine Schoeps; sister-in-law, Charlotte Loftus, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary Teresa also was preceded in death by her sister Margaret Loftus Taylor, and brother, Edward Loftus.
The family would like to thank her friends and neighbors in her beloved Pittston, for the joy and laughter they brought to her over the years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William St., Pittston. There will be no viewing at Mary Teresa’s request, but visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church before the funeral Mass. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic – St. John the Evangelist, 37 William St., Pittston, PA 18640. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston.