Edna M. Gillespie

Edna Mae Gillespie, 98, a former resident of Geneva, passed away in her sleep on Friday, January 4, 2019 at Swiss Village in Berne, where she had been a resident since 2011. She was born on April 3, 1920 in Saratoga to Leo Herschel “Herschel” and Pheobe C. (Jeffery) Sipe. She was married on August 21, 1943 in Liberty to Tom Gillespie.

She was a graduate of Saratoga High School, class of 1938. She attended the Ball Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, where she became a registered nurse, receiving her degree with the class of 1941. She practiced nursing until she became a full time mother and homemaker. In 1969, she returned to nursing. She had worked for three local doctors, Dr. Frank Andrews, Dr. George Donnelly, M.D and Dr. Paul D. Steenburg, M.D. She also organized the back to school vaccinations for the town of Geneva and served on the Geneva Library Board. She enjoyed tending her garden, playing euchre, quilts and crocheting. She had a love of cardinals, owls and covered bridges.

She is survived by her son, Don R. (Lonnie) Gillespie of Endicott, New York; daughter, Karen “Lynn” (Phillip R.) Scaletta of Indianapolis; four grandchildren, Amy (Michael) Piester of Endwell, New York; Phillip T. (Lizz) Scaletta of Indianapolis; Anthony (Linda) Scaletta, of Glendale, California; and Alexander (Alice) Scaletta of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and seven great-grandchildren, Dylan, Haley and Chase Piester; Thomas and Lilian Scaletta; and Madeleine and Judah Scaletta.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on March 29, 1969; brother, Carroll Sipe; and sister, Yvonne Harris. 

Burial will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Geneva.

Arrangements provided by Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva. Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com.