Funeral Mass of Ita McErlean

Ita McErlean (nee Higgins), 81, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2022. She was surrounded by the love and comfort of her family at her home in Warrington, PA when she passed.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John “Jack” McErlean. They were married for an impressive 60 years in September. She is the proud mother of Patrick, Maureen Grimes, MaryBeth (Christopher) Canally, Tara (Paavo) Liekkio, Sean (Renee) and the later Teresa Ann. She is the devoted Mom-Mom of Kelsey, Vincent, Patrick “Joey,” Keghan, Colin, Finn Patrick, Madison, Sean Junior, Grace and Ryan Patrick. She is the adoring Great-Grandmother of Vincent Junior and Leyla.

Ita was born on January 11, 1941 in Curry, Broher, County Sligo, Ireland to the later John and Margaret Higgins. She is the youngest of 11 children. She leaves behind three siblings who cherished her so much: Patricia Ann Lowrey of London, England, Michael Leo Higgins of Curry, County Sligo, and Margaret Josephine Padden (the late William) of Philadelphia, PA. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Battle and Kathleen Kelly, and her brothers, Patrick, Anthony, John Christopher, Thomas and Kevin, and her sister-in-law, Margaret Mary Cloud (the late Joseph), She is the loving aunt to many nieces, nephews and family, who all treasured her and will miss her.

Ita was admired by her family and many friends for her courage and strength. She lived a life that was guided by her faith and put her family and the Lord above all else. She was a born caretaker that loved big, and she was incredibly kind to all that she came into contact with, including her little pet friends too.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Viewing on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 9:00 – 10:45 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Church, 1795 Columbia Avenue, Warrington, PA 18976.  Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, 5201 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA. Luncheon to follow.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ita’s name to help families battling childhood cancer to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 888-226-4343, www.stjude.org/donate.

To share condolences with Ita’s family, please go to www.hollenfuneralhome.com.

Flowers should be delivered to above church by no later than 8:30 A.M. on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.

Arrangements by Hollen Funeral Home, Inc, Thomas J. Fluehr, Funeral Director, 3160 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114, 215-698-2500, www.hollenfuneralhome.com.

 

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