Barbara L. Cawley

On Wednesday, March 5th, surrounded by her family in Wyndmoor PA, Barbara L. Cawley was called home to God. Barbara was born on January 27th, 1939 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Charles and Dora Cerino.

Barbara moved to Chestnut Hill with her family when she was very young and remained in the area her entire life. She attended Our Mother of Consolation grade school and Little Flower High School. She met and married a young man from Glenside, PA, Jack Cawley, and together they celebrated 55 years of marriage. They raised three children together, Chris Cawley (Joanne) of Wyndmoor PA, Barbara FitzPatrick (Kevin) of East Norriton, PA, and John (Jo Ann) of Oreland, PA.

Barbara's passion was always about food and family. She could always be found in the kitchen creating a meal for her family and friends. Numerous Christmas Eves, Easters, Independence Days, Thanksgivings, birthdays, anniversaries, and showers were always orchestrated by her superior ability to throw a feast. In the 1980s, she operated a small sandwich shop in Chestnut Hill called Gumps 2 and afterwards she started a successful catering company where many people in the area were fortunate to experience her talents. Her many recipes will be a part of her legacy and shared for generations. Barbara also had a devout love and commitment to the Miraculous Medal and The Blessed Mother. She made sure all her children and grandchildren had their own Miraculous Medal to wear and protect them. She prayed the rosary every night for her children and grandchildren.

Barbara was frequently referred as the matriarch of a large family. She was blessed with nine grandchildren, her son Christopher's three boys - Chris, Joe, and Tim, her daughter Barbara's three children - Liam, Caitlin, and Thomas and her son John's three children - Jake, Emma, and Johnny. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Dora Cerino, her husband, Jack, and her sister Dolores. She is survived by her sisters, Charlotte DeMedio, Janet O'Brien, Carol Hilferty, and Gloria Fitzgerald and her two brothers, Tom Cerino (Alda) and Ron Cerino (Terry) She was loved by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She will be dearly missed and we pray that her memory will be a blessing to us all.

Barbara's family invites you to attend a visitation at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 East Chestnut Hill Ave, Philadelphia, PA at 9:00 AM on Thursday, March 13th; a mass will follow at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Miraculous Medal Shrine at miraculousmedal.org.