Edna Mae Gillespie, age 98, a former resident of Geneva , IN, passed away in her sleep on January 4, 2019. She had been a resident at Swiss Village in Berne since 2011.
Edna was born on April 3, 1920, in Saratoga, Randolph County, the daughter of Leo Herschel “Herschel” and Pheobe C. (Jeffery) Sipe. She was a graduate of Saratoga High School, class of 1938. She then 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 married Tom Gillespie on August 21, 1943 in Liberty, Indiana. Tom passed away on March 29, 1969.
Edna 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.
Survivors include: son, Don R. (Lonnie) Gillespie of Endicott, NY, daughter Karen “Lynn” (Phillip R.) Scaletta of Indianapolis, IN, 4 grandchildren, Amy (Michael) Piester, Endwell, NY, Phillip T. (Lizz) Scaletta of Indianapolis, Anthony (Linda) Scaletta, of Glendale, California, Alexander (Alice) Scaletta of Philadelphia, PA and 7 great-grandchildren: Dylan, Haley and Chase Piester, Thomas and Lilian Scaletta and Madeleine and Judah Scaletta.
In addition to her husband and parents she was predeceased by a brother Carroll Sipe and a sister Yvonne Harris.
Burial will be in the West Lawn Cemetery, Geneva.
Arrangements are being handled by Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva, IN.