Gladys I. McGrath

WEST YARMOUTH — Gladys I. (Priestnal) McGrath, 98, passed away on April 11, 2008, after a period of declining health at Rosewood Manor, Harwich, a place where she found great comfort in her final months.

She was the wife of the late James McGrath for 44 years.

Mrs. McGrath was born in Lacy, Iowa, in 1910, to the Rev. James Priestnal and his wife, Ada (Sallis) Priestnal. Gladys moved to Yarmouthport in 1914, when her father was called to serve the Yarmouth New Church (Swedenborgian). When he retired, her late brother, the Rev. Clayton Priestnal, filled the pulpit.

Upon graduating from Yarmouth High School, she moved to Boston, where she met her future husband. After retiring in 1976, she and her husband moved back to West Yarmouth from West Springfield.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews, and a dear friend, Walter Chapin, of South Yarmouth. She was also the sister of the late Evelyn Priestnal and the Rev. Clayton Priestnal.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 13, at 1 p.m., at the Yarmouth New Church, Route 6A, Yarmouthport.

It is her wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations to restore and preserve the Yarmouth New Church for community use be sent to the Yarmouth New Church Preservation Foundation (YNCPF), P.O. Box 237, Yarmouthport, MA 02675.

For guest book, visit www.MorrisOConnor.com.