Obituary of Julia A. Gillespie

Julia A. "Jewel" Gillespie Julia A. "Jewel" Gillespie, a homemaker and lifetime resident of the area, died Thursday August 4, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus. She was 94. The daughter of John W. Neusaenger and Adelaide Stewart Neusaenger, she was born June 15, 1911 in the Town of Shawangunk, N.Y. She was a lifetime member with her husband, L. Crawford Gillespie, in the Graham's United Presbyterian Church in Pine Bush, N.Y. They both held different offices in the church. Jewel taught Sunday School in the church for many years. She and her husband delivered Meals on Wheels in Pine Bush for several years; and she was a member of the Town of Crawford Garden Club. A family statement reads: "Jewel met and fell in love with her husband of 61 years, L. Crawford Gillespie, who predeceased her on August 7, 1990. Our mom was a wonderful, beautiful lady, inside and out, who loved her family dearly. Our mom loved the Lord and always wore a hat to church. She cooked the best Sunday dinners and was famous for her Banana Nut Bread. Before her sight failed, she loved to watch her early afternoon soap operas, and did beautiful embroidery work. She taught us family values, respect and love. We will miss you always. When we look up and see the clouds touch, we will know our mom and dad are together again and holding hands, still in love." She leaves behind her loving children: Margaret (Peggy) Hackett of Middletown; Donald J. Gillespie of Middletown, and Lois E. Grossi and husband, Joseph, of Pine Bush; her beloved grandchildren: Judith Yannantuono of Pine Bush, Joseph T. Grossi and wife, Kira, of Montgomery, Quentin Gillespie and wife, Missy, of Middletown, Kevin Gillespie of Campbell Hall, and Valerie Woods and husband, Jehremie, of Panama City, Fla.; a beloved great-grandson, Bryan Yannantuono of Pine Bush; and sister-in-law, Mary Neusaenger of Pine Bush. She was predeceased by a son, Charles R. Gillespie, who died in 1990; a sister, Anna; and two brothers, John and William Neusaenger. Visitation will be held on Sunday August 7, 2005 from 6-9 PM at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc., 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, N.Y. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 8 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home with Pastor Robert Hewitt officiating. Burial will be in the family plot at New Prospect Cemetery in Pine Bush, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jewel's name may be made to the Graham's United Presbyterian Church, Sunday School Fund. Arrangements were made by the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc. For directions or information, please visit www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com.