Gillen Geary, Vandergrift

Gillen Geary of Vandergrift grew up with a sense of dedication to the church, family and community in life. Her dad and mom, Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lear of Vandergrift (deceased) had instilled that value in her life. Both were active in the community, he in his medical practice and she in community service. In fact her mother was the first woman to serve on the then Vandergrift School Board and was part of the merger that former Kiski Area School District.

Gillen says that “Church is first” in her life. Much of her service is at First United Methodist Church in Vandergrift where she is on the Board of Trustees and the Parish Pastor Relations Board. This year marks her 50th year as a member. She became a member at the age of 12. Even though there are many obligations and time invested in her two board positions, she has taken charge of visiting shut-ins with four others in the church and the prayer ministry that involves about ten persons. “The body of the church are the people of the church,” and this why “Church is the center of my life,” she says.

She also is on the Board of the Salvation Army in Vandergrift for the past two years. She indicated there are a lot of changes going on that present challenges to this Board. Another group that Gillen was active in was the Women’s Club. That group is no longer organized.

Gillen’s mother, Dorothy, set the example of dedication through her life. Gillen was one of six children and grew up with her mother being very active in the community. Mom was not only a school board member, but founded the Rainbow Girls unit in Vandergrift. She was also president of the Women’s Club and, believe it or not, ran a ceramic studio out of her house where she taught others how to do ceramics.

Being part of a “family of six children” also fostered a great love for children, Gillen said. That love led her to study for a teaching career at West Virginia Wesleyan University where she earned her degree in teaching in 1962. From there, through the influence of some college friends, she went to Dover, N.J. and started teaching at the Dover Air Force Base School. It was there she met her future husband, Tim Geary. He was an Air Force Lieutenant and navigator assigned to the Dover Air Force Base. It was love at first site and they married a year later in 1967.

Gillen and Tim moved back to this area settling in Holiday Park where she took substitute teaching work at the Plum Borough School District. Tim went on to law school. It wasn’t long before they moved to Vandergrift and Gillen was back home. One of her first steps was to return to the First United Methodist Church where she had become member at the age of 12.

She and Tim have raised three children, Gillen, Tim and Brendan. Two are married and one is planning to begin a Master’s program. Gillen’s children are her pride and joy and she and Tim often are on the road visiting them in their homes in other states.

Gillen also works with Regal Travel Services in New Kensington as a travel consultant. She specializes in making travel arrangements, particularly for groups. She often works with organizations and companies on cruises, tours and other travel needs.

In her spare time she and Tim belong to a Gourmet Club that meets five or six times a year. They both love cooking and the Club offers an opportunity to put on a big meal for members and trade recipes.

Gillen is an unusual name and I inquired as to its origins. I learned that it was ‘Gishlaine’ in French and had been in the family for years. In fact, the name has been in five generations of the family from her great grandmother to her own children. The exact meaning of the name, though, was uncertain.

Gillen stresses that the most important value of her life is serving others through her Christian commitment in the church. One can see why she is so dedicated in these areas, having been taught these values from her childhood and following Christ’s call to serve.

Watch the video interview with Gillen Geary at:

(soon to come)