Ellen Philomena Garvin

Ellen Philomena Garvin (née McGrory) 
July 8, 1927 - July 6, 2023

Ellen Philomena Garvin (née McGrory) of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, passed peacefully from this life on July 6, 2023, at the age of 96.  

By herself, at the age of 21, Philomena left a thatched-roof cottage in Finmore, Donegal, Ireland, and moved to Manhattan, where she found indoor plumbing, gas stoves instead of an open hearth, a subway, and many jobs through which to send money home to her mother.  While working to support herself, she enrolled in Erasmus Hall High School, and began her high school degree.  

Her best friend and roommate, Susanna Dooney, also from Donegal, introduced Philomena to her cousin Jack in Philadelphia, who then bought a map of New York City, and began road tripping north frequently.  Soon after, Philomena became a devoted and loving wife to John Charles (“Jack”) Garvin, who died in 2015 on the eve of their 55th wedding anniversary.  Always supportive, she tolerated his obsession with ‘55 Chevy Nomads and encouraged him when this man -- sole breadwinner and father of four, who suffered from low vision -- wanted to realize his dream of flying a plane.  After a long life together, when he passed, just shy of his 90th birthday, she stood at the foot of his bed and led the family in the rosary.  

Together they raised four children:  Ellen Marie Garvin Brown (married to David Brown); Charles Girard Garvin (married to Fiona Hill Garvin); Anne Garvin; and James Patrick Garvin.  After they had all earned their high school degrees, and a few more degrees beyond, she returned to school to realize her goal of a high school diploma.  In her marriage, in her goals and dreams, in her life, Philomena played the long game.  

She and Jack were actively involved in their parish, St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Phoenixville, PA, and received outstanding service awards for their volunteer activities with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 58.  

She was a loving grandmother to Claire Garvin, Grace Garvin Krotkov, Gabriel Garvin Krotkov (children of Anne); Ian Garvin (son of Charles and Fiona); and Liam Patrick Garvin (son of James and Tara McLoughlin).  She was great-grandmother to Damian Tadgh Yankay (son of Claire Garvin and James Yankay).     

She is predeceased by her beloved parents, Ellen (née Gallagher) McGrory and Patrick McGrory, and eight of her beloved siblings: Kathleen, Henry, Patrick, Hugh, Denis, Francis, Gerard, and Mary.  Though she was far from them, they were always close to her heart.  She raised her children on stories about Finmore, and made sure they could recite the names of her brothers and sisters, and the order in which they were born.  

She is survived by her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandson, her brother William, and many nieces and nephews.  
She has joined her beloved husband, and we know he is riding with Lady Luck.  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86sb1AFl8Rs>

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Viewing on Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 8:45 t0 9:45 am in Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church, 502 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, 19460, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am.  Interment will be held immediately after at Calvary Cemetery, 235 Matsonford Road, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, 19428.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Philomena’s memory may be made to House of Grace Catholic Worker, 1826 E. Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19125.