1914
Rosabelle
2015
Rosabelle Gifford
September 15, 1914 — June 16, 2015
Rosabelle Gifford
September 15, 1914
-
June 16, 2015
Rosabelle Gifford, a well-known figure in the Philadelphia Irish-American community for decades, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the Radnor home of her daughter Rosemary McCullough on the morning of June 16. In vigorous good health until near the end, she marked her 100th birthday by dancing and singing at a large celebratory party held in Havertown last August.
Born Rosabelle Blaney in the townland of Gortward, County Donegal, Ireland at the outbreak of World War I, Mrs. Gifford was preceded in death by her sons, Edward and Frank Harvey; by two husbands, Edward John Harvey and Charles Gifford; and by her brother and five sisters
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James Blaney, Margaret Gallagher, Mary McGovern, Cassie Driscoll, Theresa McNern, and Bernadette Blaney. She is survived by her three children Rosemary McCullough of Radnor; Kathleen Harshberger of Radford, Virginia; and James Harvey of Seattle, Washington; and by 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Gifford was a young mother in London at the outbreak of World War II, bearing five children to her first husband, Edward Harvey. That marriage ended in divorce in 1956.
Moving to the Philadelphia area in 1958, she began a new life that involved the solidity of a loving second marriage to Mr. Gifford, who passed away in 1984, a lifelong relationship with her employers, the Van Pelts of Radnor, and unshakable devotion and loyalty to, and delight in, a growing brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As each child was born, it was greeted with an expanding array of accolades that began with, "That's the best baby ever," before maturing into "That's the best baby ever. And the best-looking. And the smartest, too!"
Mrs. Gifford was devoted to the Irish-American community in the area, which returned her affection. In 2009 she was the inaugural recipient of the Mary O'Connor Spirit Award from the Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Festival as an inspiration to Irish people everywhere. Defining her as "our favorite fashion icon," the Rose of Tralee Center also established "The Rosabelle Gifford Best Dressed Lady Award." In 2010, the Irish Center cited her, along with the late Grace Kelly and 10 others, as "An Inspirational Irish Woman."
A viewing will be held 9:30-10:50 AM on Friday, June 19 at the Church of St. Denis, Eagle Road, Havertown, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment St. Denis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to the Donegal Association of Philadelphia, Irish Center, 6815 Emlen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119-2642, Attn: Financial Secretary would be appreciated.
St. Denis Church
2401 St. Denis Lane Havertown 19083, United States
September 15, 1914
-
June 16, 2015
Rosabelle Gifford, a well-known figure in the Philadelphia Irish-American community for decades, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the Radnor home of her daughter Rosemary McCullough on the morning of June 16. In vigorous good health until near the end, she marked her 100th birthday by dancing and singing at a large celebratory party held in Havertown last August.
Born Rosabelle Blaney in the townland of Gortward, County Donegal, Ireland at the outbreak of World War I, Mrs. Gifford was preceded in death by her sons, Edward and Frank Harvey; by two husbands, Edward John Harvey and Charles Gifford; and by her brother and five sisters
-
James Blaney, Margaret Gallagher, Mary McGovern, Cassie Driscoll, Theresa McNern, and Bernadette Blaney. She is survived by her three children Rosemary McCullough of Radnor; Kathleen Harshberger of Radford, Virginia; and James Harvey of Seattle, Washington; and by 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Gifford was a young mother in London at the outbreak of World War II, bearing five children to her first husband, Edward Harvey. That marriage ended in divorce in 1956.
Moving to the Philadelphia area in 1958, she began a new life that involved the solidity of a loving second marriage to Mr. Gifford, who passed away in 1984, a lifelong relationship with her employers, the Van Pelts of Radnor, and unshakable devotion and loyalty to, and delight in, a growing brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As each child was born, it was greeted with an expanding array of accolades that began with, "That's the best baby ever," before maturing into "That's the best baby ever. And the best-looking. And the smartest, too!"
Mrs. Gifford was devoted to the Irish-American community in the area, which returned her affection. In 2009 she was the inaugural recipient of the Mary O'Connor Spirit Award from the Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Festival as an inspiration to Irish people everywhere. Defining her as "our favorite fashion icon," the Rose of Tralee Center also established "The Rosabelle Gifford Best Dressed Lady Award." In 2010, the Irish Center cited her, along with the late Grace Kelly and 10 others, as "An Inspirational Irish Woman."
A viewing will be held 9:30-10:50 AM on Friday, June 19 at the Church of St. Denis, Eagle Road, Havertown, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment St. Denis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to the Donegal Association of Philadelphia, Irish Center, 6815 Emlen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119-2642, Attn: Financial Secretary would be appreciated.
Visitation
Friday, June 19, 2015 9:30 AM - 10:50 AMSt. Denis Church
2401 St. Denis Lane Havertown 19083, United States
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