Edith Gaffney was born on September 29, 1933 in Dearborn, Michigan.  Her father, William MacAskill, immigrated to the US from Scotland.  He was a talented blacksmith and a union auto employee. Her mother, Ada, immigrated to the US from England.  She worked in the automotive industry in interiors and upholstery.  She was an outstanding cook and a wonderful baker.  She enjoyed Scottish heritage groups and sea cruises and fun seemed to follower her wherever she went.

As the youngest of three children, Edith grew up in Dearborn, Michigan.  She loved and was proud of her hometown.  Edith and her siblings, Margaret and James, were very close.  When her father fell ill and her mother had to work, Marge helped to raise her.  As a child, she loved to ride her bike and dance.  In junior high school, Edith became active in women’s basketball. 

Edith attended Fordson High School where she became Vice President of the Blue Chapter Y-Teens, a member of the GAA and the Usher Club.  She had strong friendships with numerous girlfriends who went on to remain lifelong friends.  Edith graduated form Fordson High in 1952.

After graduation, Edith went on to train in physical therapy.  She began her career as an X-ray technician at the Dearborn Medical Center.  She eventually managed a medical office for Dr. Edward Zaleski, MD, a cardiologist with a practice in Dearborn, MI.     

Edith agreed to go on a blind date at a dance club with Walter John Gaffney.  That proved to be an important date as the two eventually were married on July 6, 1957.  Their reception was held at the Knights of Columbus Council #305.  After the wedding Edith and Walter spent their honeymoon on a road trip to Florida.  They were sent off with a stinky parting gift from their friends—smelly cheese and sardines in the engine of their car!!

When the couple returned from their honeymoon, they rented an apartment in Dearborn.  Their first home was 605 Fairwood in Inkster, MI followed by 508 Centralia in Dearborn Heights, MI. 

Edith and Walter welcomed four children into their family—Donald, Heather, Janet and Kenneth.  They were wonderful parents who were fully engaged in their children’s activities such as hockey, basketball, baseball and tennis.  They became known in the neighborhood as Mr. and Mrs. G.  Their house welcomed every childhood friend and had an extra place set at the table for anyone who wanted to share a meal. 

Though money may have been tight at times, Edith’s children never felt it.  She knew how to stretch a dollar and focused on quality over quantity.   She helped make wonderful memories for each of her children celebrating holidays with new clothes and just the right gifts. 

As her children grew up, Edith was able to spend time doing things she loved.  She loved to travel—especially her trips to Ontario, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska and Ireland.  She enjoyed golf and gardening.  She was an avid card player who never passed the chance to play Euchre and later played Uno and Skipbo with her grandchildren.  She enjoyed a cold beer or a Starbucks Mocha.  She loved all her dogs—Fluffy, Regin, Abby and Micho. 

Edith’s greatest joy in life was her family.  She loved deeply and cherished her role as a mother and then grandmother.  She spent as much time as she could with those that she loved.  She could be depended on to help out and to give advice.

Edith was fun loving and always ready to laugh.  She was a leader and an organizer.  She was always fair, very strong, a constant support and a capable woman.

Edith J. Gaffney passed away on July 16, 2016 at the age of 82.  She was the beloved wife of the late Walter J. Gaffney, Jr.  She was the loving mother of Donald, Heather (Jeff Goliber) Gaffney, Janet (Michael) Alarie, & Ken (Maureen).  She was the proud grandmother of Lauren, Sean, Connor, Kyle, Matthew & Leah.  She was the dear sister of Margaret (late Robert) Blair and the late James (late Mary) MacAskill.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Edith will be instate on Thursday at 10am until the time of our Funeral Mass at 11am at Prince of Peace Church, 4300 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield, MI. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation or the American Diabetes Association.