Louise Mae (Durkin) Gilhooley passed away, comforted by loved ones on June 13th at Syracuse Home, Baldwinsville, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Louise was born on August 5, 1937 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to the late Patrick and Mary (McCauley) Durkin, and attended parochial schools in Brooklyn. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her granddaughter Isabela and brother James Durkin.
Louise earned a Master’s degree in elementary education from Queen’s College and taught in parochial schools in Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau Counties until 1967 when she changed careers, becoming an administrative assistant at the Ford Foundation in Manhattan.
On November 20, 1969, she married Thomas Gilhooley who survives her. They were blessed with sons Rory (Jennifer) and Owen (Elizabeth) and grandchildren Rebecca, Rachel, and Brendan. Louise is also survived by her brother Edward and nephews James and Kenneth Durkin.
In 1971, Louise and Thomas moved to Cortland where Louise obtained a reading specialist certificate from SUNY Cortland and started teaching reading in the Cortland elementary schools. She subsequently became a second grade teacher at Parker School retiring in 1999. She was an excellent teacher who tailored instruction to the individual needs of her students.
In 2005 Louise moved to Annesgrove in Camillus to be closer to her grandchildren and family. In October 2021 she moved to Peregrine on Onondaga Hill and later moved to Syracuse Home in October 2023.
She had many interests including older movies, reading, and travel. Some of the travels Louise and Tom embarked on included the Lewis & Clark trail from St. Louis to the Pacific, Spain, Paris, London, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Australia, New Zealand, and multiple trips to Ireland to visit family.
Louise was loving and caring to all members of her family and always put others before herself. Her warmth, humor, and goodness will be cherished and missed.
At Louise’s request there are no calling hours or services, and her body has been donated to Upstate Medical University for educational and research purposes.
There will be a private Memorial Celebration of Louise’s Life at the convenience of the family. Those who wish to make a donation in honor of Louise may consider a charity serving children or Veterans.
