Elizabeth (Delos Reyes) Gillespie, age 73, of O'Fallon, Ill., departed this life peacefully at her residence on January 8, 2023, and began her journey home to The Promised Land and to her Heavenly Father. This was the single most joyous day of her life!

"Ely," as she was known to many, was born in the Philippines on October 8, 1949. She held a beautiful, faithful love for the Blessed Mother Mary and for her Catholic faith. She loved to pray the Rosary and spent much of her time praying for others.

Ely became well-travelled while serving many years as a proud, devoted military spouse. She traveled to numerous places near and abroad. Some of her favorites included McChord AFB, Wash.; Travis AFB, Calif.; Spain, Switzerland, and Germany, which she called "Home" for 14 years. Ely then moved to O'Fallon where she settled and made her home. Ely worked and volunteered in many different roles before her retirement. She took pride in working with Base Family Services, The American Red Cross, Scott AFB Chapel, and feeding US Army soldiers during Desert Storm while stationed in Germany. She often led children in Sunday School. Ely loved to cook and frequently made many of her native dishes to share generously with others. Ely served on many ministries at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, to include Hospitality, Altar Angels, Altar Sodality, Eucharistic Adoration Adorer, and most recently, she laundered and cared for the linens used at Mass – cleaning, ironing, and praying each one to perfection. She also volunteered at St. Clare School, the O'Fallon Food Pantry, and attended Bible studies at the Base Chapel. She had visited Israel and Guatemala with her Beloved Pastor Fa. Jim. Her humble heart, generous prayers, and loving spirit will be missed by many.

Left to celebrate the life of Ely are the many friends she met along the way in life, as well as her St. Clare of Assisi Church family, and her St. Vincent de Paul family. Her sisters-in-Christ at the Poor Clare Monastery of our Lady of Mercy in Belleville will feel her absence, as she visited often to bring the altar linens to be cared for by them and generously shared her time and resources with them. Many who knew and loved Ely felt they were in the presence of an angel – her quiet and humble manner was a gift to all who took the time to get to know her. To those who wronged Ely in life, she leaves you Peace.

In lieu of flowers, Ely wishes for memorial donations to St. Clare of Assisi Church, or to St. Clare School, or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Her St. Clare family will pray the Rosary for her at 10 am, Friday, January 13, 2023 at St. Clare of Assisi Church, 1411 Cross St., O'Fallon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am, Friday, at the church, with Rev. James Deiters presiding, and Rev. James Thomas concelebrating. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.