Obituaries

Gloria Elizabeth McAndrew Gavin, 88, of Scranton, passed peacefully into eternal life on Wednesday evening, March 22nd, in the loving arms of her children, at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore, after gracefully suffering a long illness. Born on the Feast of Guardian Angels, October 2, 1928, in Middletown, New York, daughter of the late Walter and Lillian McLean McAndrew, Gloria was raised in Carbondale, a graduate of St. Rose High School.
Gloria was a devoted mother, caregiver and lifelong student. A licensed RN and certified school nurse, she graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Scranton. She earned a B.S. in Health and Human Services and a B.A. in Theology and Religious Studies, both summa cum laude, as well as a M.S. in Human Resources Administration, from the University of Scranton, all while working full-time and raising 8 children. She served as Health Director at the University of Scranton for many years, affectionately known as Nurse Gavin. The Jesuit Community, Faculty and Students became a special part of her extended family. Gloria was also welcomed into the heart of the IHM mission in 2005 as an IHM Associate at Marywood.
She will always be remembered for the life she led: one of steadfast compassion, selfless generosity and an ever-present faith in God. She set an example for her children and grandchildren in her nursing career and volunteer service to the community and church, including serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Pastoral Outreach Counselor.
She was a strong, beautiful matriarch and the rock of her family. Her children and grandchildren were her passion and the loves of her life. Gloria is by survived by three daughters, Mary Ann Sintich and husband, Charles Jordan, Westfield, NJ, Judy Prisco and husband, Dr. Sam, Moscow and Jean Tomaine, Dickson City, two sons, Michael Gavin and wife, Diane, Taylor, John Gavin and wife Anna, Hawthorne, Nevada and a daughter-in-law, Freda Gavin, Mountaintop, and fourteen grandchildren: Sarah , Dr. Sam, Jr. and Marc Prisco, Gina, David and Carly Tomaine, Christopher Brown, Brandon and Summer Gavin, Atty. Steve and Scott Gavin, Jessica Gavin Juillerat, Matt and Shaylee Gavin, five great grandchildren, a sister Jean Mascaro, two brothers, Bill and Joe McAndrew and many very special nieces, nephews and cousins, including her best and loyal friend, Patricia Walsh.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Atty. Peggy Gavin, October 8, 1995 and two sons, Billy, March 20, 1998 and Tom, October 16, 2016.
In her spirit of giving, Gloria donated the ultimate gift of her body to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton to advance and benefit medical education and research.
A memorial mass will be celebrated Monday, March 27th at 10:00AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Avenue, Scranton. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-5PM at Immaculate Conception Church. A Christian burial will take place at a later date.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Linda D. Barrasse and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for all their love and compassion. Memorial donations in Gloria’s name may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes Barre, 18702 or Cody Jude Barrasse Memorial Foundation, c/o Scranton Preparatory School, 1000 Wyoming Ave, Scranton, 18509.