Walsh

Frances Geraldine “Jerry” McGarvey Walsh, 94, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday.

Formerly of the Townhouse Apartments in Butler, she had been an independent living resident at Concordia Haven One in Cabot for the past two years.

Born in Trafford on Jan. 27, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Edward W. and Margaret (Kelly) McGarvey.

Following an early education in Uniontown, she graduated from Meddred High School in Beaver. She attended Geneva College and the University of Pittsburgh and was a research medical technician at the Oliver Foundation at St. Margaret's Hospital in Pittsburgh.

She married Philip A. Walsh on Oct. 25, 1950, in Butler. He preceded her in death on July 21, 1985.

Frances was a former member of Butler AAUW, a member of St. Paul's Christian Mothers, Butler Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Reading Club of Butler. She enjoyed reading and bridge.

She and the late Mary E. McCorry organized the Stitchers for God, who enhanced the already beautiful St. Paul Catholic Church on North McKean Street with ornate pieces of needlepoint including chair cushions, kneelery and altar drapes. All the past bishops of the Pittsburgh Diocese are honored by their insignia on an altar side chair.

She is survived by two sons, Michael E. Walsh Sr. and his wife, Cheryl, of Butler and J. Patrick Walsh and his wife, Margaret, of Milton, Mass.; five grandchildren, including Michael E. Walsh Jr. and his wife, Eliza, of England, Charles A. Walsh and his wife, Diane, of Pittsburgh, Brendan P. and Garrett P., both of South Boston, Mass., and Kathryn M. Walsh, of Milton, Mass.; three great-granddaughters, Makana Walsh, Aroha Walsh and Catherine Beatrice Walsh; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Jerry was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Ray and Jeanne Donnelly; and one brother, James P. McGarvey. She was the last surviving member of the family of Edward and Margaret McGarvey.

WALSH — Friends of Frances Geraldine “Jerry” McGarvey Walsh, who died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Butler.St. Paul's Catholic Women and Christian Mothers will meet at 9:35 a.m. Monday at the church to recite the Rosary.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Paul Catholic Church for restoration of the stained glass windows or to the Butler Area Public Library.