SYRACUSE – Elizabeth Gagliano, 83, of Nappanee, and formerly of Syracuse, passed away on Feb. 7, 2019, at the Elkhart General Hospital.
Elizabeth Ann Gagliano, known as Betty to her friends, and "Nana" within the family, was loved by everyone she met. How many people? Betty married Joe on Sept. 15 in 1956. Sixty-three years later, 27 moves later as they zig-zagged across the country, she enjoyed the role as the wife of a U.S. Air Force pilot, making friends in every military base and city they lived in, and loved by all.
When the Holy Spirit descended on her at a very young age, she received the gift of patience, 70x7 times (Matthew 18:22).
She is survived by her husband. Ret. Lt. Col. Joseph Anthony Nicholas Gagliano of Nappanee; a daughter, Mary (Joseph) Mahlie of San Marcos, Texas; two sons, Nick (Danielle) Gagliano of Granger and Chris Gagliano of Foley, Ala.; five grandchildren, a brother, Charles J. Jehlen of Austin, Texas; and a sister, Lucille Peterson of Florida.
She was preceded by a brother, Paul Jehlen.
Betty was an observer wherever she went, noticed everything, then offering her insight to make things a little better.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb.15, at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse, with a rosary being read at 6.
A Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Syracuse, with Father Andrew Nazareth officiating. Burial will follow at the Syracuse cemetery.
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Memorials to St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church for Masses.
