Elizabeth J. “Betty” Gildea, 97, of Cornwall, formerly of Bridgewater, NJ, and Newtown, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at Cornwall Manor, Cornwall, PA. Betty married her loving husband, William J. Gildea, on Oct. 24, 1959, in Glens Falls, NY. They recently celebrated 64 happy, loving years together.
Born in Milford, CT, she was the daughter of the late Herman and Elizabeth (Bevan) Shandoff.
The family later moved to Glens Falls, NY. Betty graduated from Green Mountain Junior College in Vermont and Albany Business School. Betty worked for Southern New England Telephone Company, NY Telephone, and AT&T Long Lines, where she retired in 1988 as a clerical assistant in the overseas cable division.
Betty was active in the Methodist Church throughout her life, singing in church choirs, serving as financial secretary, and volunteering. She was also a member of the Cornwall Manor Society.
In her younger years, Betty sang in a choral group and enjoyed golf and travel. In 1955, she served as a community ambassador from Glens Falls, NY, to Belgium. Betty rarely sat idle! She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. She lovingly made quilts for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Later, as a resident of Cornwall Manor, Betty would knit dishcloths to be sold in the Manor Shop and decorate walking canes with decoupage art for residents.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Stephanie (Charles) Muggleworth, of Clifton, VA, and Morgan (Randolph) Mahl, of Easton, PA; daughter-in-law, Kathleen (Michael) Gildea; six grandchildren, Alyssa (Benjamin) Weaver, Samuel Muggleworth, Kathryn Muggleworth, Aaron Mahl, Riley Mahl, and Joshua Gildea; two great-grandchildren, Alexa and Matthew Mahl; niece, Susan (Steven) Carr; and cousins, Susan (Gary) Bitner and Cynthia (Robert) Childs.
Betty was preceded in death by her son, Michael Gildea; and her sister, Phyllis Schmidt.
A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to Cornwall Manor Society, c/o Joanne Whary, 522 Sassafras Dr., Lebanon, PA 17042, or Cornwall Manor Benevolent Care, https://cornwallmanor.org, in gratitude for the loving care given to residents of Cornwall Manor Health Center.
