Mary A. Gillespie

Mary A. Gillespie, 98, of Hatboro Pennsylvania, formerly of Upper Darby Pennsylvania, passed away on November 14, 2023. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Mary Agnes Protesto (nee Feldkircher) and Robert V. Protesto.

Mary’s life was marked by a profound love of family. She was one of seven children. Blessed with six grandchildren, she took great joy as an active participant in their upbringings and left an indelible imprint on each, sharing the values she gained growing up in a large family during the Depression, best expressed through her generosity, patience and empathy.

Mary was also an athlete, attaining accolades as a teenager for her ability as a pitcher in both slow and fast pitch softball leagues and maintaining a lifelong love of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. She was an avid bowler and bridge player, a member of a weekly card club that gathered for 35 years.

Before retiring in 1992, Mary worked as a bookkeeper for Suburban Dunlop Tire in Warminster Pennsylvania. She was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Horsham Pennsylvania, loved animals, and was also a big fan of ice cream and Minnie Mouse.

Predeceased by her husband Joseph G. (Jay) Gillespie, siblings Christian Protesto, Robert Protesto, Jr., Mildred Stickley, James Protesto and Edward Protesto, she is survived by her son Jerry Gillespie, daughters Mary Kay Burns and Robin McKee (Scott), grandchildren Amanda McKee, Daniel Burns, Thomas McKee, Julie Duffy (Ryan), Colette Rupp-Gillespie and Antonio Rupp-Gillespie, as well as her sister Catherine Pearson.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Monday, November 20, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 321 Witmer Road, Horsham, PA 19044. Interment is at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 Sproul Road, Springfield, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Artman Lutheran Home Benevolent Fund or the Dementia Society of America.