Elizabeth Ann (Madden) Girard

As the night came to an end on March 25th, 2026, Elizabeth Ann Girard (née Madden) passed away peacefully and began her journey to eternal rest. She was 95 years old.

While her family felt their worlds shift as Betty left the Earth, they take comfort in the legacy she left behind.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Joseph B. Girard in June 2024. Married in September 1951, they shared 72 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories—from their home in Philadelphia to sunny days by the lagoon in Beach Haven West, NJ. She was also predeceased by her son Raymond in 1952, her dear Aunt Mary Jones in 1994, and her brother Victor Gittens Jr. in 2019.

Betty endured many hardships in her youth, but she was neither tarnished nor resentful. Instead, she chose to build a life defined by the same unconditional love she received when Joe first brought her home to his parents, Lucy and Benhardt Girard. They took her in without hesitation, setting a guideline of acceptance that Betty would carry for the rest of her life. She took every piece of her own past pain and transformed it into strength for others, ensuring that anyone who joined the family was met with an open heart and a place at the table. This family that Betty and Joe built on their own never stopped growing and never stopped loving.

Betty always set aside special time for each of her children: Joe, Sue Ann, Carol, and Jim. To them, she wasn’t just a mother—she was the absolute best mom anyone could have asked for. During their youth, Betty was involved in Cub Scouts and was a Sunday school teacher. Once her children were grown, she brought that same joy and wisdom to her grandchildren—helping them navigate life’s difficulties. And she wouldn’t stand for anything that would get in their way to thrive.

Betty was always on her feet until her final days, always getting up and making sure everyone was taken care of. From cooking her famous mac and cheese and apple cake to reading with her grandchildren, to finding ways to show everyone in her path the true meaning of love—she spent her life looking after her family.

Betty had the greatest smile and the sweetest dimples. She was also the most resilient woman with a great sense of humor—and of course embodied the idea of unconditional love. These traits have been passed down to generations that followed.

Surviving are…

Her children: Joseph, Jr. and his wife Susan, Sue Ann Mento and her husband Ben, Carol Girard-Irwin and her wife Susan, and Jim and his wife Martha.

Her grandchildren: Jacqueline, Gregory, Kerry, Kyle, Lauren, Leah, Grace, Claire, and Joe.

And her 15 great-grandchildren who were also so lucky to know and love her: Evelyn, Gwen, Jonathan, Declan, Cole, Nora, Will, Ben, Madden, Grayson, Beau, Aria, Wyatt, Kieran, and Callum.

…as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Forever loved and forever missed—Elizabeth Ann Girard. The strongest woman we’ve ever known. She lives on through the family she built and the unconditional love she left inside each of us.

The visitation (9:00 - 11:00 AM) and funeral (11:00 AM) will be held on the same day:

Wednesday, April 1st at Bradley & Stow Funeral Home, 127 Medford-Mt. Holly Road in Medford, NJ.

Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Huntingdon Valley, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s name to the Deborah Heart & Lung Center, (www.Deborah.org)

(www.BradleyStow.com)

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