Obituary for Anna S McGarrity (Schiff)
Anna (nee Schiff) McGarrity, age 91, passed at home on Sunday, May 24, 2020. Anna is predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald McGarrity, Sr., her parents, Anthony and Anna (Mikulos) Schiff, and her siblings Anthony Jr., Joseph, Alexander (“Toot”), and Helen.
Anna was born and raised in a home on 2nd Street, Roebling, Burlington County, New Jersey. The family later moved to Mansfield Township near Newbold Island.
Anna met the love of her life, Donald, during a dance at the Pig and Whistle in Browns Mills, New Jersey. Married in 1955, Donald helped construct the family home on property formerly owned by his Hungarian father-in-law. Hardworking, punctual, and dependable, Anna was employed by several area businesses including a Westinghouse lightbulb factory, an ammunitions plant in Burlington, and a spring factory in Roebling. She retired from Norelco in Hightstown. Upon arriving home after work, she would mow the four-acre property, vacuum the built-in-pool, make dinner, and do all the household chores. Once retired, she enjoyed sitting and watching TV especially crime shows as well Animal Planet’s, “Too Cute” and “Meerkat Manor.”
Anna never got over the loss of her older brother, Anthony Jr. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Anthony was drafted into World War II. He served in the United States Navy Reserve as a Machinist’s Mate Third Class aboard the Destroyer Escort, USS Bates. On May 25, 1945, Anthony was killed during a kamikaze attack off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Anna named her daughter, Toni, in his honor.
Anna was a great cook and baker. Her homemade specialties included stuffed cabbage, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken paprikash, pineapple cheesecake, and Italian Love Cake. For a period of time, Anna and Donald operated a food truck parked on Rt 206 in Pemberton and served hot dogs, hamburgers, and Anna’s famous chili. Anna loved animals especially elephants, kittens, and puppies. She held a special place in her heart for their many companion animals throughout the years including Golden Retrievers, Zimmie and Bud.
Anna is survived by her son Donald McGarrity, Jr. (“Duke”) and his girlfriend Julie Petix, daughter Toni Lynn McCay and her husband, Christopher, grandsons Jason and Kyle, great-grandson Dominick, niece Tina Tucker, her husband Derrick, and their children Quintara, Tianna, and Derrick, Jr., Rudy the cat, and special friends Jeannie and Pedro Alvarado, Jeremy and Preeti Stieber, Kay Danzella, and Ernest Schumann. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge nurses Jeray and Trisha and home health aide Samia of Lighthouse Hospice, Cherry Hill, New Jersey for their service. Anna will be missed by her many friends at the Joan Notte Hair Salon in Hamilton and Tootie’s Restaurant in New Egypt.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Animals in Distress, 720 Edinburg Road, Hamilton, New Jersey, 08619, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York, 10306, or a veterans or animal welfare organization of choice.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 10 AM at the Bordentown Home for Funerals, 40 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown City, New Jersey. An 11 AM service will be held by Deacon Thomas Shea, Mother of the Church Parish. Anna will be laid to rest with her husband at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Arneytown, New Jersey.
Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, 10 people at a time will be allowed in the funeral home. Masks must be worn, and social distancing must be practiced. We have a speaker outside of the Funeral Home for people to hear the service. The Interment will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Pecht of Bordentown Home for Funerals. Condolences are welcome at www.bordentownhomeforfunerals.com.
Anna was born and raised in a home on 2nd Street, Roebling, Burlington County, New Jersey. The family later moved to Mansfield Township near Newbold Island.
Anna met the love of her life, Donald, during a dance at the Pig and Whistle in Browns Mills, New Jersey. Married in 1955, Donald helped construct the family home on property formerly owned by his Hungarian father-in-law. Hardworking, punctual, and dependable, Anna was employed by several area businesses including a Westinghouse lightbulb factory, an ammunitions plant in Burlington, and a spring factory in Roebling. She retired from Norelco in Hightstown. Upon arriving home after work, she would mow the four-acre property, vacuum the built-in-pool, make dinner, and do all the household chores. Once retired, she enjoyed sitting and watching TV especially crime shows as well Animal Planet’s, “Too Cute” and “Meerkat Manor.”
Anna never got over the loss of her older brother, Anthony Jr. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Anthony was drafted into World War II. He served in the United States Navy Reserve as a Machinist’s Mate Third Class aboard the Destroyer Escort, USS Bates. On May 25, 1945, Anthony was killed during a kamikaze attack off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Anna named her daughter, Toni, in his honor.
Anna was a great cook and baker. Her homemade specialties included stuffed cabbage, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken paprikash, pineapple cheesecake, and Italian Love Cake. For a period of time, Anna and Donald operated a food truck parked on Rt 206 in Pemberton and served hot dogs, hamburgers, and Anna’s famous chili. Anna loved animals especially elephants, kittens, and puppies. She held a special place in her heart for their many companion animals throughout the years including Golden Retrievers, Zimmie and Bud.
Anna is survived by her son Donald McGarrity, Jr. (“Duke”) and his girlfriend Julie Petix, daughter Toni Lynn McCay and her husband, Christopher, grandsons Jason and Kyle, great-grandson Dominick, niece Tina Tucker, her husband Derrick, and their children Quintara, Tianna, and Derrick, Jr., Rudy the cat, and special friends Jeannie and Pedro Alvarado, Jeremy and Preeti Stieber, Kay Danzella, and Ernest Schumann. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge nurses Jeray and Trisha and home health aide Samia of Lighthouse Hospice, Cherry Hill, New Jersey for their service. Anna will be missed by her many friends at the Joan Notte Hair Salon in Hamilton and Tootie’s Restaurant in New Egypt.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Animals in Distress, 720 Edinburg Road, Hamilton, New Jersey, 08619, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York, 10306, or a veterans or animal welfare organization of choice.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 10 AM at the Bordentown Home for Funerals, 40 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown City, New Jersey. An 11 AM service will be held by Deacon Thomas Shea, Mother of the Church Parish. Anna will be laid to rest with her husband at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Arneytown, New Jersey.
Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, 10 people at a time will be allowed in the funeral home. Masks must be worn, and social distancing must be practiced. We have a speaker outside of the Funeral Home for people to hear the service. The Interment will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Pecht of Bordentown Home for Funerals. Condolences are welcome at www.bordentownhomeforfunerals.com.