Mary Gracik Gillespie

Mary Gracik Gillespie, age 91, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:37 AM, surrounded by her six loving children.

Born on November 26, 1933, in Butler, Pennsylvania, Mary was the fourth of five children of Paulina and Josef Gracik. A proud graduate of Butler High School’s Class of 1951, she was a member of the Drum & Bugle Corps and met her high school sweetheart, George Gillespie, while playing basketball in the school gym. Mary and George were married on November 28, 1953, in Lyndora, PA, and enjoyed 52 wonderful years together.

In 1968, the eight of us boarded a plane and moved from Macungie, PA to Orange County, California for two plus years. In 1970, our family—along with our dog—loaded up the station wagon for a cross-country road trip to our new home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Along the way, we stopped at every tourist attraction, including the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Las Vegas. Mary and George loved traveling, whether it was a cross-country adventure, jet-setting abroad, or visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania and Kansas.

Mary cherished her Slovak heritage and often spoke Slovak with her siblings—especially when she didn’t want the rest of the family to understand! She dedicated herself to raising us six kids and, once we were older, spent over 30 years working in the Palm Beach County School District. She served 29 of those years as a beloved teacher’s aide at Allamanda Elementary School, retiring in May 2002. After retirement, Mary volunteered at Allamanda, The Benjamin School and Timber Trace Elementary School.

Through the years, Mary and George were fixtures at their kids and grandchildren’s sporting events, recitals, and school programs. Let’s not forget the parties – Mary was the life of the party and rarely missed one. She loved taking Zumba classes, socializing with her girlfriends and attending happy hours with her Allamanda Family. Her quick wit, sense of humor and the ability to make you laugh was second to none and continued until her final days.

Mary cherished her friendships—some lasting 55 years nearby in Florida, and others spanning more than 75 years across the miles. She stayed close with childhood friends from Pennsylvania, a true testament to her loyalty, and generous spirit.

A woman of deep faith, Mary and George were founding members of The Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola. Mary was a devoted choir member for 30 years, while George served as an usher. She helped start and was very active in the St. Ignatius Women’s Guild, volunteering for events, cooking for the soup kitchen, and collecting for the food pantry. She also gave her time for over two decades as a volunteer at the Eissey Campus Theatre.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband George (2006); her brothers, Joe and Chuck; her sister, Vicky; and her grandson, William J. Gillespie (2000).

She is survived by her younger brother, Albert Gracik of Lenexa, Kansas; her six children: George (Kim), Tom, Patty (Don), Bill (Margo), Martha (Bruce), and Barbara (Bobby); her twelve grandchildren, who lovingly called her Memaw or Meems: Jenna (Ryan), Jessica (Brian), Jack III, Christie (Todger), Ryan (Jillian), Charlie, Casey (Gordon), Kaitlyn, Will, Matthew, and Madison; and six great-grandchildren: Taylor, Harry, Tripp, Mackenzie, Andrew, and Ava. Mary was also “Auntie” to many nieces and nephews across the country.

The Gillespie family extends heartfelt thanks to Mary’s medical team at Jupiter Medical Center, especially Dr. Donna Pinelli and “Nurse Louise” from the Trustbridge Team Jasmine. For the past 23 months, Silver Sitters In-Home Care provided compassionate daily care. Thank you, Brittany, Debbie, Tomica, Sonny, and Marie.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Ignatius Women’s Guild/Food Pantry (9999 N Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410) or the Trustbridge Hospice Foundation (5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407) in Mary’s honor.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius Loyola, located at 9999 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.