Anna Catherine Rafter Gilsdorf
formerly of Smock
Anna Catherine “Katie” Rafter Gilsdorf, 97, originally from Smock, passed away Friday, October 20, 2023, in her home in Columbus, N.J.
Katie, the third of 12 children to Emma and Patrick Rafter, graduated from Uniontown High School and worked at the company store in her beloved Smock into her late 20’s.
Katie eventually joined her sisters and an aunt in Lyndhurst, N.J., met her loving husband, Wal-ter, of 57 years, and moved to Paramus, N.J.
Katie and Walter raised one daughter, Jeannine. They retired to Lexington, S.C. for 20+ years before moving back to New Jersey to be closer to their daughter.
Katie was preceded in death by her adored parents, Emma and Patrick Rafter; her loving hus-band, Walter; her brothers, Jimmy, Jack, PJ, Bobby and Richard Rafter; and her sisters, Betty Bencze, Agnes Rafter and Bernadette Padula.
She is survived by her devoted daughter, Jeannine Gilsdorf; daughter- in-law, Sue Coursen; her brother, Eddie Rafter; her sisters, Emma Florkewitz and Frances Rafter; as well as her many loving nieces and nephews.
Services will be held privately, with a burial at St. Vincent de Paul, Leisenring.