1924
Gertrude
2016
Gertrude McCormick
June 4, 1924 — August 4, 2016
Gertrude Regina McCormick, 92, Loving Matriarch
Gertrude Regina McCormick, known as "Dahl" to friends and family and "Gram" to grandchildren and great-grandchildren, died peacefully at her home on Thursday morning, August 4, 2016, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Born in Philadelphia on June 4, 1924, as the fourth of five children to Daniel McGarvey and Gertrude McLaughlin McGarvey, Dahl was the last surviving member of the quintet of McGarvey children, predeceased by brothers Daniel (Dan) and Robert (Bob) and sisters Elizabeth (Betty) and Margaret (Mar).
She grew up in West Philadelphia at 56th and Webster Street, just across from Sherwood Playground. After graduating from West Catholic Girls High School in 1941, she worked as a secretary in West Philadelphia at Walker Company, where she eventually met her future husband, Joseph A. McCormick, who had returned from WWII a decorated fighter pilot.
They married on April 12, 1947, at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church at 56th and Cedar Avenues in Philadelphia. Over the subsequent 21 years, Dahl and Joe had 12 children, six sons: Joseph, Daniel, Stephen, Michael, John and Paul and six daughters: Diane, Kathleen, Margaret, Marianne, Nancy and Susan. They raised their big Irish brood at 101 South Fairview Avenue in Highland Park, Upper Darby. Joe and Dahl and the kids were devout parishioners of St. Laurence Parish, where Joe began elementary school in 1927.
After becoming empty nesters (which understandably took some time!), Joe and Dahl moved to 158 Academy Lane, just behind their beloved parish where she attended daily Mass.
Dahl devoted many years as a service volunteer: washing and ironing linens for St. Laurence Altar Society, Thursday Cafeteria Ladies also at St Laurence, The Project Hope Volunteers, and at the Delaware Community Hospital ER reception desk and (retired on her 90th birthday).
In her later years, Dahl relocated to her second-floor apartment located at the family home of her daughter, Marianne Forbes.
Dahl enjoyed attending the many school and athletic events of her grandchildren and always adored the many visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed watching the kids play in the yard just outside her window, basking in their laughter. As a kind farewell, she would always say, "Goodbye and God bless."
Relatives and friends may visit the family Sunday, August 7, 2016 5:00-8:00 PM and Monday, August 8, 2016 10:00-10:50 AM at St. John Chrysostom Church, 605 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA and to her Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, Dahl had requested that family and friends "pay it forward" with an act of kindness and donations to Hope Partnership for Education, 2601 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133.
St. John Chrysostom Church
617 S. Providence Road
Wallingford
PA 19086
,
Gertrude Regina McCormick, known as "Dahl" to friends and family and "Gram" to grandchildren and great-grandchildren, died peacefully at her home on Thursday morning, August 4, 2016, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Born in Philadelphia on June 4, 1924, as the fourth of five children to Daniel McGarvey and Gertrude McLaughlin McGarvey, Dahl was the last surviving member of the quintet of McGarvey children, predeceased by brothers Daniel (Dan) and Robert (Bob) and sisters Elizabeth (Betty) and Margaret (Mar).
She grew up in West Philadelphia at 56th and Webster Street, just across from Sherwood Playground. After graduating from West Catholic Girls High School in 1941, she worked as a secretary in West Philadelphia at Walker Company, where she eventually met her future husband, Joseph A. McCormick, who had returned from WWII a decorated fighter pilot.
They married on April 12, 1947, at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church at 56th and Cedar Avenues in Philadelphia. Over the subsequent 21 years, Dahl and Joe had 12 children, six sons: Joseph, Daniel, Stephen, Michael, John and Paul and six daughters: Diane, Kathleen, Margaret, Marianne, Nancy and Susan. They raised their big Irish brood at 101 South Fairview Avenue in Highland Park, Upper Darby. Joe and Dahl and the kids were devout parishioners of St. Laurence Parish, where Joe began elementary school in 1927.
After becoming empty nesters (which understandably took some time!), Joe and Dahl moved to 158 Academy Lane, just behind their beloved parish where she attended daily Mass.
Dahl devoted many years as a service volunteer: washing and ironing linens for St. Laurence Altar Society, Thursday Cafeteria Ladies also at St Laurence, The Project Hope Volunteers, and at the Delaware Community Hospital ER reception desk and (retired on her 90th birthday).
In her later years, Dahl relocated to her second-floor apartment located at the family home of her daughter, Marianne Forbes.
Dahl enjoyed attending the many school and athletic events of her grandchildren and always adored the many visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed watching the kids play in the yard just outside her window, basking in their laughter. As a kind farewell, she would always say, "Goodbye and God bless."
Relatives and friends may visit the family Sunday, August 7, 2016 5:00-8:00 PM and Monday, August 8, 2016 10:00-10:50 AM at St. John Chrysostom Church, 605 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA and to her Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, Dahl had requested that family and friends "pay it forward" with an act of kindness and donations to Hope Partnership for Education, 2601 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133.
Visitation
Monday, August 8, 2016 10:00 AM - 10:50 AMSt. John Chrysostom Church
617 S. Providence Road
Wallingford
PA 19086
,
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