Janet E. "Chickie" (Van Gorder) McGrath, a longtime resident of Revere and formerly of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston following an extended illness. She was 73 years old.
Chickie was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 9, 1941, a daughter of the late Frank Van Gorder and Eva M. (Thorne) Van Gorder. She grew up in Charlestown where she was educated in the Boston Public School system and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1959. She furthered her education and received her Associates Degree in Culinary Arts from Bunker Hill Community College. Chickie dedicated her life to working with people in need as a Food Service Supervisor at The Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home for 20 years, The Cohen Florence Levine Estates Assisted Living Center for several years and The Leonard Florence Center for Assisted Living for several years all located in Chelsea. Chickie enjoyed traveling and shopping with family and friends. She was a member of the Women's Moose of Revere and the Revere Historical Society.
Chickie is the beloved wife of the late Joseph McGrath. She is the devoted sister of Frank Van Gorder Jr. and his wife Margaret of Manomet and the late Virginia Hickey and her husband William and Doris Van Gorder. She is the loving aunt to Robert Hickey, Karen and Jim Meis, Linda Shewbridge, Virginia Martin, Peggy Van Gorder, Doris McGoff, Alice Van Gorder, Katherine Van Gorder, Susy Flynn, Barbara Parker, Frank Van Gorder III and the late Janet Eva Hickey. She is also survived by her special lifetime friend Josephine Piccardi and her family, many grandnieces and grandnephews and her beloved cat Chelsea.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Chickie's Funeral on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 10 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by her Funeral Service in St. John's Episcopal Church, 27 Devens St. Charlestown at 11 A.M. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 from 4 to 7 P.M. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Chickie's name to The American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St. Boston, Mass. 02210.
The family of Chickie would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses & staff for the wonderful care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Whittier Rehabilitation.