Teresa Gildea

Teresa Gildea (nee McGroarty), 90, formerly of Bryn Mawr and Havertown, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, October 6, 2021, at her son John’s home in Gladwyne surrounded by her loving family.

Teresa was born in Keeloges, County Donegal, Ireland on December 30, 1930. She was the eldest of twelve children and was the daughter of the late Andrew and Joanna McGroarty. Teresa was an amazing seamstress who could sew just about anything. Her two daughters benefited greatly from this skill enjoying new outfits often.

Teresa came to the US in 1955 where she married the love of her life, the late John J. Gildea, also known as the Saddler, and spent 57 happy years with him before his passing in 2013. Teresa and John both worked for Miss Ethel Pew on her Bryn Mawr estate “Glenmede” for 26 years where they raised their family. She absolutely adored Miss Ethel and continued to speak of her often even in her final days. Teresa and John were devout Catholics and were longtime parishioners of Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Bryn Mawr.

Teresa and John fulfilled a lifelong dream of building a home in Ireland which was completed around 1997. In 2000, they decided to make the move to Ireland permanently. They both loved their home in Ardara, County Donegal which they named “Glenmede” after the beautiful estate in Bryn Mawr where they had such happy memories. They cherished the many years in Ireland being near family and friends. They were parishioners of The Church of the Holy Family in Ardara. Teresa loved to help at the church and spent many happy years there beside her best friend Josie Maguire.

Teresa is survived by her three brothers Neilly McGroarty and Leo McGroarty of Ireland and Ed McGroarty of England.

Teresa will be greatly missed by her daughter Patricia Cleveland (Scott) of Wayne, PA, her sons John Gildea of Gladwyne, Kevin Gildea (Fiancé KJ) of West Chester and Brendan Gildea of Wynnewood as well as her two granddaughters Katie and Jamie Cleveland who she adored. Sadly, her daughter, Trudy Gildea passed away in 2014. Teresa will be missed by her many family members and friends all over the world including, U.S., Ireland, England and Australia.

Services will be private for immediate family. Next summer, the family will bring Teresa back to her beloved Ardara, County Donegal, where she will be laid to rest with her dear husband John and her beautiful daughter, Trudy.

Teresa was loved by all of those she met. Her beautiful smile and kind, loving ways will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

The family would like to thank her care givers from Main Line Health Care and Hospice in her final weeks and all of the wonderful doctors, nurses and aides at Paoli Hospital.