Gilliland

Elaine (Hallahan) Gilliland, 65, of Butler, passed away Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.

She was born in Butler on Sept. 13, 1960, to the late George Sr. and Helen (Jarecki) Hallahan.

Elaine graduated from Butler High School and then earned her bachelor’s degree from Clarion University. She worked as a social worker for Head Start, Totin Family Services, and Community Care Connections.

A guardian angel is a special angel assigned to watch over and protect. In her 65 years of life, Elaine was a guardian angel to all. As the youngest of seven, she was wise beyond her years and served as a devoted daughter, sister, wife, aunt and cousin. She devoted her life to the service of others, working with underserved families, individuals with disabilities, young children learning through Head Start, and those struggling through the hardest moments of their lives. She was a kind, steady guide for all these groups serving as a compassionate ear and an open heart to those who needed it most. She also was a mom to many fur babies over her lifetime.

When her parents became infirm, she and her soulmate, Clarence, stepped up to care for them with love and selflessness. This work was not without humor, and Elaine was known for a wry pun or comment that brought laughter in times of sorrow. She also stepped in to care for her husband, Clarence, when he had a sudden, unexpected medical condition.

She was a devoted wife who relished the simple joys in life including time spent with her own family and “chosen families” of coworkers, neighbors and friends. She enjoyed dusk by the fire pit with a snap dog, and a good ballgame of any Pittsburgh, Penn State or Notre Dame variety.

She remained a fierce advocate for her husband, Clarence, and for all those living with limb loss, teaching the world to always see the person rather than the disability. She taught all she knew how to enjoy the special moments in life and value the inner personhood of all regardless of their life circumstances.

Elaine earned her angel wings with the life she lived while we had the joy of having her here. She will be sorely missed by all who loved her, but we seek solace in knowing that she has received her heavenly wings and is dancing with her soulmate, Clarence, and their fur children. We are blessed to have her now as a guardian angel from the heavens.

Elaine was the beloved wife of the late Clarence Gilliland Jr., whom she married May 7, 1988; and sister of Jean (John) Checket, Maria Jolley, and David and James (Mary Beth) Hallahan. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

GILLILAND — All services for Elaine (Hallahan) Gilliland, who died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, will be held privately through SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 New Castle Road, Butler. A celebration of life will be announced in the coming months.

Donations may be made in honor of Elaine to the Golden Tornado Scholarship Fund, 100 Campus Drive, Butler, PA 16001, or to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.

Please offer condolences at www.spencerdgeibel.com.

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