Mary Frances Gelardo "Mollie"

Mollie was born on August 15th, 1932, in Manhattan, NY to Irish parents M. Josephine Strath “Josie” (née Costello), a real estate agent and dance teacher and Spencer Strath, a jazz musician who also worked for Shell Oil Co. A devout Roman Catholic, her formative years were spent with her family including younger brother, Fred (d) and younger sister, Oona on the upper west side, followed by her adolescent and teenage years in Long Island. After high school, Mollie worked at Lord and Taylor as an assistant buyer before attending nursing school where she eventually earned her Baccalaureate and Registered Nursing certifications. During this period of time, she met Jerry Gelardo, an Air Force Pilot from Ossining, NY at a wedding ceremony rehearsal in which they both served in the wedding party. They fell in love and married on Feb 11th, 1956. In short order, they had four children, Gerard, Stephen, Frederick, and Matthew.

In 1962, Mollie, along with her husband and children, moved west to southern California where she continued to pursue her successful and fulfilling nursing career whilst rearing her growing family. At this time, three more children were born; Moira, MaryJo, and Monica rounded out the number of children to seven. Still, her career and education continued. In fact, Mollie was shown special recognition in the news as an RN who specialized in the training of Paramedics, a new concept at the time, in the 60s. Her busy career running emergency rooms eventually led to her working for specialists in private practice before retiring from nursing altogether in the early 1990s.

Mollie was very active in her community. She volunteered at all of her children’s schools and served as a catechism teacher for decades. After her children had grown, she became involved in other businesses that brought her joy such as Avon, Shaklee, Princess House, and Tupperware where she was recognized and honored as a high seller and where she also made lasting friendships.

Mollie was known for her elegance, beauty, and glamour, but she was also down to earth, friendly, and fiercely loyal. There wasn’t a family member near or far that she didn’t welcome into her home nor a friend of her children’s that was a stranger. Along with her husband, she served as defacto parent to many family friends.

Mollie enjoyed a successful marriage that lasted over 57 years until her husband Jerry’s death in 2013. She and Jerry raised their children mostly in the west San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley, after which they retired to Oceanside, CA where she spent the last 30 + years of her life. She was a proud grandmother to 8 and loving great-grandmother to 3. She also deeply loved her daughters-and-sons-in-law as well as her grand-pets.

The loss of Mollie is immeasurable as she was a source of sanctuary to so many. The last five years were difficult as she struggled with illness, but her verve for life and immense love for her family never waned.

Catholic Mass and Interment will be held on Dec 5th, 2023, at 1:30 PM.

Location:

Mission San Luis Rey

4050 Mission Ave.

Oceanside, CA 92057

Celebration of life immediately follows at: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SXmfaRgnTe9cRoxE6

Arrowood Golf Course

5201 Village Drive – Bldg A

Oceanside, CA 92057

(3-6 PM)

Rest in Peace

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsmortuary.com for the Gelardo family.