Mary Lou (Scalzo) Gilia Obituary
Mary Louise Gilia, 68, of Carbondale, passed away early Saturday morning following a courageous battle against cancer. Surrounded by family and friends, she passed gracefully and peacefully. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 43 years, Steve Gilia, also of Carbondale.
Born May 3, 1950, the first-born child of Russell and Josephine Scalzo, Mary Lou was a kind, gentle, helpful, considerate, and loyal daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was loved by all and enriched the lives of everyone who knew her. A member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, and faithful follower of Jesus Christ, she read from her bible every night and enjoyed attending church services. She is now with the Lord.
She was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, class of 1968, and worked the majority of her career at Tri-County Human Services as a Credentialing Specialist. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, skiing, playing cards, movies, swimming, line-dancing, prayer meetings, golfing, and above all, spending time with her family. She also volunteered her time for the Carbondale Public Library, local food panties, and the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast.
She is also survived by her mother, Josephine Scalzo, children, Stephen Gilia and Kristen Gilia, sisters, Marlene McConchie and Michele Scalzo, brother, Joseph Scalzo and wife, Angela Scalzo, sister-in-law Ruthie Roscioli, brothers-in-law, David Gilia and John Connerton, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Russell Scalzo, Sr., brother, Russell Scalzo, Jr., father-and-mother-in-law, James and Sophia Gilia, sisters-in-law, Judy Granville, and husband Claude, Patricia Gaiardo, and husband Albert, Rose Ellen Connerton, and Marie Gilia, and brother-in-law, John Roscioli.
Her family wishes to extend thanks to all of her many caretakers throughout her time of illness. They are forever grateful.
Friends may call Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home, 2 Hospital Street in Carbondale. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook Street in Carbondale.
