Published in the February 17, 2017 edition
MEDFORD — Evelyn M. Gillespie, 91, of Melrose, formerly of Medford, died at the Courtyard Nursing Care Center in Medford on Feb. 13, 2017.
Evelyn was born in Somerville, raised in Medford and graduated from Medford High School, Class of 1943. She was a homemaker and resided in Melrose for 29 years and Kittery, Maine for 21 years. Evelyn was very active with the Incarnation Church Ladies’ Sodality in Melrose and organized a women’s and men’s grief support group. She loved reading, long walks on the beach and ballroom dancing at Mosley’s on the Charles in Dedham.
Evelyn had a flair for fashion, decorating and entertaining large holiday parties. She enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Hawaii, San Francisco, Prince Edward Island, Hampton Beach and taking many road trips all across America. Evelyn’s family was the most important part of her life.
Evelyn was married to the love of her life, the late Thomas F. Gillespie for 37 years. She was the loving mother of Susan E. Gillespie-Tocco and her husband Vincent of Gloucester; Christine L. Gillespie-Baker and her husband Bob; Diane L. Gillespie and her husband James McKinley, all of Medford; and Joyce Gillespie and her husband Tom Poirier of Lowell. She was the caring sister of Ann Sacco and her husband Carl of Reading, and Paul Hardy and his wife Lois of Malden. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday, Feb. 20 from 2-6 p.m. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, Herbert St., Melrose at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. For directions and to sign an online condolence, visit www.gatelyfh.com.
