Margaret Mary Walsh

Margaret Gaitings Walsh

Margaret M. Walsh, age 91, of Gillett (Ridgebury), PA, passed away very peacefully on December 25, 2025.

She was born on September 28, 1934, in Sayre, PA, the daughter of Peter and Mary (Driscoll) Gaitings.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Edward William Walsh, whom she married on November 29, 1958 at St. Ann's Church in Bentley Creek, PA. They were married for 55 years, prior to his passing in 2014. She is also predeceased by her parents, Peter Francis Gaitings in 1953, Mary K. Driscoll Gaitings in 1969, brother, Philip Gaitings, brother and sister-in-law, Francis and JoAnne Gaitings, brother-in-law, Thomas Walsh, sister-in-law, Jean Jenkins, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary Jane Walsh, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Edwina and Charlie Drake, and her 4-legged companion, her Dog Libby.

Margaret is survived by her son, Bernard "Bernie" Walsh of Gillett, Pa, daughter and son-in-law, Theresa and John Meyers of Cascade, CO, sister-in-law, Vivian Walsh, brother-in-law, Jim Jenkins, and her 4-legged pal, her cat Lucky, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

We also would like to thank the many special people and her friends who always kept close contact with our loved one: Marsha, Sharon, Wanda, Mary, Kay, Gerry, Michele, Patty, Sandy, Shirley, Janet, Liz, Frank, Bruce, Jimmy, Curt, Patrick, Frank, Kenny, Eddie, Buddy, Tom, Henry, Francis, and Dennis. A special thank you to Dr. Violeta Zeykan at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital for all of her compassionate care over the years.

Margaret attended schools in Wellsburg, NY, SRU Smithfield, graduating from Ridgebury Ulster High School. Upon graduation, she was deciding a career choice, which she thought of becoming a Veterinarian because of her great love for all animals but it wasn't an easy field for a woman in 1952. She then decided to follow in her mother's footsteps, and chose nursing as her career. She attended Robert Packer School of Nursing, graduating in 1955, which was delayed due to her father's passing, and she was needed on the family farm to help with the chores. While in nursing school, she was always called, "Maggie", but she quickly let everyone know, "I prefer to be called Margaret!" Her studies were very important to her, receiving the highest grades were essential, a "98" was not acceptable. She was very proud of becoming a nurse.

Following graduation, she began her nursing career at Guthrie/Robert Packer Hospital. For 64 years, from 1955-2019, Margaret worked for Guthrie/Robert Packer Hospital in Nursing Administration, the majority of that time she was the Evening Nursing Supervisor/Clinical Coordinator. She was well-known and respected for her organizational skills and Margaret was always proud of the fact that any decisions made were based on her patients' well-being. She was a very dedicated employee, never missing a day of work, even if the weather should have kept her home, she was there ready to start her shift. She began her career in the day of the white uniforms, shoes, and starched cap. Margaret was one of the last nurses to wear that white uniform and cap. She always felt honored that she had the privilege of knowing and working with Dr. Guthrie. Margaret saw a lot of change through the years which included the uniforms, and she would often comment, "The only thing that likes change is a baby in a wet diaper."

As Margaret's career came to an end, it brought a sense of sadness as Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital had become a second home to her. When she came in after retiring, she would see so many people that remembered her, it was like coming home to visit. Or meeting the group of girls that she had worked with for lunch dates, that made her feel like she was still a part of everything.

She embraced her IRISH heritage. Margaret was born in the home that they settled in, a descendant of the original Irish settlers in Ridgebury, PA. She loved St. Patrick's Day (her second favorite holiday with Christmas being the first.), and being a part of all the celebrations. She was known as the Historian for information in Ridgebury Township. She had a love, and a large collection of local history. Margaret was very knowledgeable on the early history and of the early Irish settlers. In 1994, Margaret was elected to the Bradford County Historical Society Board as a Trustee and was later given Emeritus status as she had served for 29 years. She served on the nominating committee recruiting and interviewing new board members. She was involved with the planning and moving to the new museum on Pine Street in Towanda, PA.

Margaret was a long-time member of St. Ann's, and a member of the Church/Council Board, prior to its closure. She attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Ridgebury and Church of The Epiphany in Sayre.

Margaret loved all animals, planting flowers, cooking, gardening, and canning fruits and vegetables, making jams, and perogies with the ladies at the church. She was committed to tending to her families' graves to be sure there were flowers at all times placed on them. Margaret liked country music, polkas, and hearing a piano being played. She loved to go hunting with her husband, Ed. After having grown up on the family farm, she and Ed continued to raise cattle and other farm animals at their home near Bentley Creek, PA.

Her beautiful smile, her positiveness that was always present, the dimples that everyone always commented on, the kindness she showed to everyone, and her love of life will we missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Time of Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, 3418 Chapel Road, Milan, PA, at 10:00am with Fr. Daniel Toomey officiating.

Entombment will follow at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery, Ridgebury, PA in the family mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Margaret's name to the Bradford County Humane Society, PO Box 179, Ulster, PA 18850 or bradfordcountyhumane.com or the Bradford County Historical Society, 109 Pine St., Towanda, PA 18848 or www.bradfordhistory.org>support.

(For those wishing to sign the E-guestbook, or send condolences, may do so by visiting www.loweryfuneralhome.com)