Elizabeth Ann Marie McGettigan

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Ann Marie McGettigan on May 10, 2025.

Elizabeth was born on New Year's Day, 1965, the beloved youngest of Ruth L. (nee Gutbrod) and the late Joseph E. McGettigan’s eight children. She was the cherished sister of Kathleen, Joseph (Gay Warren), Mary (Dr. Larry Caputo), Jeanne (Balbino Uriarte), Michael (Kathleen Krattenmaker), Patricia (Mike Postil) and Susan.  She is also survived by her loving niece and nephews – Luisa, Martin, Sam, and Andrew. Elizabeth resided for more than 30 years at the Spirit of Gheel in Kimberton, PA , where the other residents and staff became her loyal and loving second family.

Elizabeth’s early childhood was much like that of her two brothers and five sisters, but eventually the onset of mental health challenges would make her life more difficult.

She attended St. Francis de Sales and Holy Child Academy, Sharon Hill primary schools and Radnor High School. Despite her illness, she earned her GED and was for many years a staff member at TJ Maxx. There she worked hard in the clothing department, found a routine, made friends with colleagues, and did her best to make the customers happy. 

Elizabeth found special joy in music.  She loved to listen, whether at home playing CD’s or attending a live concert.  But she also loved to sing, in her room with the radio and with others as a member of the church choir.

Like all McGettigans, she was a voracious reader - the daily newspaper, popular magazines, fiction, celebrity autobiographies, Nancy Drew mysteries – there were always some pages turning through her days, probably with B101 playing in the background.

This made it easy to choose a gift for her.  Besides pretty clothes and accessories, if it had anything to do with Elvis Presley or Barry Manilow or horses or Princess Di or ice skating, it would earn the giver a big smile and a hug. 

Correspondence, both sent and received, was a special part of Elizabeth’s life. If someone mailed Elizabeth a card or a letter, they always got a handwritten reply. Other family members might forget to send a birthday or holiday greeting – but not Elizabeth; her cards were set on mantelpieces and tucked in dresser drawers all over the country.

Still, Elizabeth derived the most joy from spending time with her family, especially at large gatherings for a birthday or holiday celebration, like our recent Easter luncheon at Mom’s apartment. These occasions revealed her sense of humor, her pleasure in good company and lively conversation, and her appreciation of the ritual of sharing a meal with others.  Elizabeth’s absence at these events will be deeply felt by us all.

Her family members will probably remember most fondly the times they each spent with Elizabeth: lunch at the Longhorn, car drives singing along with Elvis on the radio, helping her pick out a new purse or Christmas sweater, attending a Josh Groban concert or the latest movie, quiet talks about life - the happy parts and the sad.

Everyone who knew Elizabeth will miss her moods, her love for corny jokes, her quick smiles and certainly her big “goodbye” hugs and her bigger “hello” hugs.  Loving, brave, kind-hearted and forgiving – this is how Elizabeth should be remembered, and in that memory she will challenge us to follow her example.

Elizabeth will live on in our hearts; we will miss her and cherish her memory always.  

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 at 10:00am in St. Francis de Sales Church, 4625 Springfield Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143. Her funeral mass will be celebrated in church at 11:00am. Burial will be in The Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia.