Philomena Rush, 90, a beloved Wyndmoor resident for 56 years who was born in Northern Ireland as one of 13 siblings, died Nov. 6 of age-related ailments at her home, surrounded by family.
Rush was born in Greencastle, County Tyrone, to Agnes and John McCullagh. In 1953, she followed her sister Alice McElroy to Philadelphia, where she worked as a waitress at Stouffer's and Horn & Hardart's restaurants, making many lifelong friends who would remain dear to her throughout her life.
Her Catholic faith was central to her life from her earliest days through her final moments. Baptized at St. Patrick's Church in Greencastle, she later became a member of St. Athanasius Church in Germantown, Seven Dolors Church in Wyndmoor and St. Genevieve's Church in Flourtown, where she was known for her unwavering devotion and regular attendance.
"She was very kind, selfless and fun loving," said her son Steve Rush of Chestnut Hill. "I have about 52 cousins. Many live in England, Ireland and Australia but also many in the U.S. When I was young, many would get together for the holidays, but now it is too unwieldy."
Rush enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, often hosting intimate dinner parties with her sister Alice, who lived next door. A talented cook, she and her sisters frequently catered dinner parties for neighbors in Chestnut Hill and Wyndmoor, though her primary focus remained caring for her family.
She met her future husband, Gerard Rush, at her friend and future sister-in-law Kathleen Regan's 21st birthday party in West Oak Lane. Gerard, who bore a striking resemblance to Rush's favorite actor, Cary Grant, was from western Ireland and one of eight children himself. They married on May 22, 1965, at Seven Dolors Church in Wyndmoor. Gerard Rush died seven months before his wife. Their marriage spanned 59 years and brought them four children, five grandchildren and four beloved dogs who were thoroughly spoiled with attention and care.
"The marriage not only gained mom a movie star but an entire complement of sisters-in-law who would become her closest friends, including my aunt Patricia, with whom she would have world-famous fits of laughter," Steve Rush said.
Her daughter Karen Wagner of Jenkintown painted a vivid picture of her mother's Irish childhood. "Mom's childhood seemed to us something from a Dickens novel," Wagner said. "She would describe the warmth and smell of the perpetually burning peat fire, her older sisters baking bread on an open hearth, the smell of her father's pipe, the regular visits from charming characters with the most hysterical nicknames and of course the endless pots of tea."
Rush often shared stories of her school days in Ireland, recounting tales of various schoolmasters and the clever rhymes and songs students created to remember their lessons or playfully tease one another. She remembered fondly her walks home from school with siblings Agnes (nicknamed Dimples), Bernadette, and Gerald, including their regular stops at Micky the blacksmith's shop to watch him shoe horses. At home, they helped around the family farm, tending to chickens, temperamental goats and donkeys that they occasionally attempted to ride with mixed results.
She attended Mass regularly and said the rosary daily throughout her life. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and children to the Jersey Shore, Canada and Nantucket, Massachusetts, as well as making frequent return trips to her beloved Greencastle, often accompanied by her sisters. She particularly cherished their Saturday afternoon traditions of shopping and coffee outings to the mall, where they would spend hours in conversation and laughter.
Survivors include daughters Karen Wagner (Greg) and Joanne Burbelo (Greg) of Baltimore; sons David Rush of Wyndmoor and Stephen Rush (Mary); five grandchildren; and sister Agnes Jennings (Martin).
She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter-in-law Mary Simonis Rush; and 11 siblings: Anna Rose McCullagh, Alice May McElroy (Charles), Peggy McCullagh, Maureen Fox (John), Bernadette Caruso (Robert), John James McCullagh (Rosaleen), Francis McCullagh (Susanna), Peter McCullagh (Lois), Myles McCullagh (Ann), Michael McCullagh (Maureen) and Gerald McCullagh.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Nov. 15 at St. Genevieve's Church in Flourtown. A viewing was held Nov. 14 at Jacob F. Ruth Funeral Home in Chestnut Hill.
Memorial donations may be made to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, Convent of Divine Love, 2212 Green St., Philadelphia, PA 19130-3197.
