Mrs. Adele Gilligan

Adele Doreen (Dolly) Gilligan left this earth on Sunday, May 18, 2014, in the presence of her loving family. Dolly was born on 12/26/32 to Lithuanian immigrant parents Benjamin and Mary Zubitis. She grew up in the post-Depression era in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia on Hancock Street, along with her 3 sisters (Terry, Lucky, and Judy) and 2 brothers (Vince and Ben). She often relayed tales of hauling free blocks of ice and stray lumps of coal home from the rail yards to help the family cause. Always proud, she would ditch the wagon of ice or coal whenever she saw more affluent friends from school approaching, only to retrieve it later. She always added how her mother saw to it they were never without fresh vegetables and good kielbasa to eat. Dolly attended Dobbins High School. Petite with hazel eyes and a pretty smile, she resembled Judy Garland as a young woman. She would catch the eye of her future husband, Jim Gilligan, while working as an usherette in the Mastbaum movie theater. When he came back later to ask her out, he found that she had been spotted by a teacher and fired for working underage. They would fortuitously meet again at a family party and later formally marry at a Lithuanian church. Dolly's lifelong best friend was her sister, Judy. In their day, they loved to sneak away to Atlantic City and passionately attack the slot machines. They also worked together for years at the Coffee Shop in the Airport Holiday Inn. Dolly is now reunited with her partner-in-crime, Judy, who left us this past September. Dolly's caring and hard-working nature made her a great Mom. Her turkey stuffing and coleslaw will never be outdone. A perceptive listener, she was a special confidant to her 4 children (Patricia, Jim, Stacie, and Kelly), and many of their friends. Dolly was Mom Mom to her 7 grandchildren (Shaun, Casey, Samantha, Maddy, Summer, Jeffrey, and Erika). They loved going to Mom Mom's house, where they all had a unique bond with her and were often blatantly spoiled. She was a caring friend to her 5 step-grandchildren (Timothy, Todd, Trish, Tom, and Troy) Her true legacy of spirit is her unconventional, mischievous sense of humor and approach to life. This spirit will be cherished and manifested in her children, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and everyone who has known and loved her.