Edna M McGrath of Salem, MA, passed away at Blueberry Hill Nursing Home, Beverly, MA in the afternoon hours of Friday, June 29, 2018 after a chronic illness.  She was a resident of Salem, MA.

As the oldest of three siblings, she was born in Lynn MA, May 15, 1929 to Anna C (Bright) Hartley (born in Chelsea, MA) and Benjamin Hartley (born in Tynemouth, Wallsend, England).

Edna's father, Benjamin, was in the Navy so the family moved a few times throughout her school years.  She grew up in North Saugus MA, moved to South Carolina for a while and later to Maine, where she graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School.  She liked to read and travel and eventually attended Spencer Beauty School in Boston graduating as licensed practicing hairdresser.  She was also a telephone operator throughout her working years.  In later years she worked for Sears as a credit investigator up until she retired.

She married Gerard Delaney McGrath on Sept 19, 1954 and settled in Lynn with her husband to raise their family together.    She leaves her son, Paul G McGrath, of Salem MA and daughters, Ruth A Barker of Essex MA and Jean Amirault of Salem MA.  She also leaves behind three grandchildren, Coreen Howland, Amanda Yutzy and Joseph Amirault.    Her great grandchildren include Amanda Karpenko McGrath, Lillyin Teal,  Andrew and Joshua Grady and Caleb Yutzy.  Edna is also survived by her sister, Ruth (Gina) Mills of Newburgh, NY, brother, Benjamin Hartley of Peabody, MA and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Edna's life centered around her family.  She loved family gatherings, cooking, making the perfect cup of tea, gifting fruitcakes at Christmas and making memories while on family vacations in Boothbay Harbor Maine - where enjoying the savory seafood delights the region offered was the objective of the day with her loved ones.  She taught us how to make the best out of any bad situation and the importance of a good heart and sense of humor.

Visiting Hours will be held on Friday July 6, 2018 from 10AM to 12noon at the Murphy Funeral Home 85 Federal St. (corner of North St.) Salem MA 01970 followed by Burial at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park at 12:30pm 185 Lake St, off Rte 1 South, in Peabody, MA.