Philomena Rush

Philomena Rush (nee McCullagh), passed away peacefully November 6, 2024 at the age of 90, surrounded by family at her home in Wyndmoor, PA. She was born on February 21st, 1934, in Greencastle (Sheskinshule), County Tyrone, Ireland to Agnes and John McCullagh. She and her twelve siblings enjoyed a simple, yet idyllic childhood set in the foothills of the beautiful Sperrin Mountains. The closeness of her large gregarious family complimented by the many friends, neighbors, and charming characters of this tight-knit farming community would profoundly influence the rest of her life. In 1953 she followed her sister Alice McElroy to Philadelphia and worked as a waitress at Stouffer’s and Horn & Hardart’s restaurants where she made many lifelong friends. In 1965 she married Gerard Rush who preceded her in death by seven months. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage, four children, five grandchildren, and four spoiled dogs. Absolutely central to her entire life was her Catholic faith. She was baptized at St. Patrick’s Church in Greencastle, and was a member at St. Athanasius Church in Philadelphia, Seven Dolors Church in Wyndmoor, PA, and St. Genevieve’s Church in Flourtown, PA. She loved going to Mass and recited the rosary daily. She was an incredible homemaker who loved to cook exceptional meals for her family on a nightly basis. She enjoyed trips with her husband and children to the Jersey Shore, Canada, and Nantucket, MA as well as many return trips to Greencastle, often with her sisters Bernadette and Agnes (aka Dimples), with whom she also loved Saturday afternoon shopping and coffee jaunts to the Mall. She will be forever remembered as a happy and loving person with a wonderful sense of humor who was selflessly devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. She is survived by her daughters Karen (Greg) Wagner and Joanne (Greg) Burbelo, and sons David and Stephen (Mary), her five grandchildren, and her sister Agnes (Martin) Jennings. In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her Daughter-in-Law Mary Simonis Rush, and eleven siblings including sisters Anna Rose, Alice May (Charles) McElroy, Peggy, Maureen (John) Fox, Bernadette (Robert) Caruso, and brothers John James (Rosaleen), Francis (Susanna), Peter (Lois), Myles (Ann), Michael (Maureen), and Gerald. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 15th at 10:00 AM at St. Genevieve’s Church 1237 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA. A viewing will be held Thursday evening November 14th from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM at JACOB F. RUTH FUNERAL HOME 8413 Germantown Ave, Phila, PA. An additional viewing will take place Friday before mass at church, beginning at 9:00AM. 

Donations in her name may be made to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, Convent of Divine Love, located at 2212 Green Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130-3197