OBITUARY

Name:    Gertrude G. (Higgins) McCracken

From:  Today's Sunbeam, Salem, New Jersey
Date:  May 20, 2012

Gertrude "Meme" McCracken, a long-time Salem area resident went home to be with the Lord on May 17, 2012, surrounded by her family. Born in 1917 in Eldred, PA, to John and Ada Higgins.

Gert spent time in Buffalo, NY, working in a silk mill. She later relocated to Salem County where she became an employee of E.I. DuPont, where she produced nylon used for parachutes during World War II. Gert will be remembered by the many friends who spent afternoons with her on her front porch on East Broadway, in Salem, where she resided for over 50 years. Friends jokingly referred to her as "the mayor of East Broadway". In 2001, Gert relocated to the Pennsville Towers, where she spent her time cheering for the Phillies and the Eagles, and her favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon. She spent the last 8 months as a resident of Southgate Healthcare Center in Carney's Point.

Pre-deceased by her husband of 36 years, Clyde "Mac" McCracken in 1984, Gert is survived by her daughters Carol Stanton and husband, Steve; Kathy Cannizzaro; and Patty Haley and husband, Jack. She is also survived by grandchildren Robert Cannizzarro Jr. and his wife Krista; Jacqueline Haley, and many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of Southgate Healthcare Center, Compassionate Care Hospice, the ambulance staff that never failed to stop in for a quick hello, and all who took time to visit with Gert and made her smile. Services will be private. The family requests that donations may be offered in Gert's memory to Penton Chapel (346 Quaker Neck Road, Salem, NJ 08079) in lieu of flowers.