Gillespie

Mary Gracik Gillespie, 91, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., passed away peacefully Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:37 a.m., surrounded by her six loving children.

Born Nov. 26, 1933, in Butler, Mary was the fourth of five children of Paulina and Josef Gracik. A proud graduate of Butler High School’s Class of 1951, she was a member of the drum and bugle corps and met her high school sweetheart, George Gillespie, while playing basketball in the school gym. Mary and George were married Nov. 28, 1953, in Lyndora, and enjoyed 52 wonderful years together.

In 1968, eight of us boarded a plane and moved from Macungie, Pa., to Orange County, Calif., for two plus years. In 1970, our family — along with our dog — loaded up the station wagon for a cross-country road trip to our new home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Along the way, we stopped at every tourist attraction, including the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Las Vegas. Mary and George loved traveling, whether it was a cross-country adventure, jet-setting abroad or visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania and Kansas.

Mary cherished her Slovak heritage and often spoke Slovak with her siblings — especially when she didn’t want the rest of the family to understand! She dedicated herself to raising us six kids and, once we were older, spent over 30 years working in the Palm Beach County School District. She served 29 of those years as a beloved teacher’s aide at Allamanda Elementary School, retiring in May 2002. After retirement, Mary volunteered at Allamanda, The Benjamin School and Timber Trace Elementary School.

Mary cherished her friendships, some lasting 55 years nearby in Florida, and others spanning more than 75 years across the miles. She stayed close with childhood friends from Pennsylvania, a true testament to her loyalty and generous spirit.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, George, in 2006; her brothers, Joe and Chuck; her sister, Vicky; and her grandson, William J. Gillespie, in 2000.

She is survived by her younger brother, Albert Gracik of Lenexa, Kan.; her six children, George (Kim), Tom, Patty (Don), Bill (Margo), Martha (Bruce) and Barbara (Bobby); her grandchildren, who lovingly called her Memaw or Meems, Jenna (Ryan), Jessica (Brian), Jack III, Christie (Todger), Ryan (Jillian), Charlie, Casey (Gordon), Kaitlyn, Will, Matthew, and Madison; and six great-grandchildren: Taylor, Harry, Tripp, Mackenzie, Andrew and Ava. Mary was also “Auntie” to many nieces and nephews across the country.

GILLESPIE — A funeral service for Mary Gracik Gillespie, who died Saturday, May 17, 2025, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 6, at the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius Loyola, 9999 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Ignatius Women’s Guild/Food Pantry, 9999 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, or the Trustbridge Hospice Foundation, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407, in Mary’s honor.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.