Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Ella Bernadette “Bernie” Gilchrist (nee WINTER)

May 14, 1918 – January 24, 2012

On January 24, 2012, at Washington Adventist Hospital. Bernie, a longtime resident of Camp Springs, Maryland, was predeceased by her beloved husband of 46 years, Hugh Clifford Gilchrist, Jr., her parents Anna (Buchina) and Bela Winter, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by several loving nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. 

Bernie was born on May 14, 1918 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where she grew up, and graduated from McKeesport High School. After graduating from Indiana State Teachers College, Indiana, Pennsylvania, she taught at McKeesport Technical High School, McKeesport, PA.

Bernie married her late husband of 46 years, “Cliff,” in 1945 and moved with him as he pursed his career in the United States Air Force. His last active duty assignment brought them in 1963 to Camp Springs, Maryland, where he died in 1991, and she resided at the time of her death. 

While living in Camp Springs, Bernie was employed as a court stenographer for the U. S. Department of Defense. After her retirement, she became a Volunteer (30+ years) with the American Red Cross, at Malcom Grow Hospital, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, and a Volunteer with “Angel Flight,” Aero-Medical Staging Facility at Andrews, which greeted returning wounded troops from overseas assignments to stateside medical facilities. Often while working at the hospital, she would take her lunch time to visit patients at the hospital, whether she knew them or not.


Bernie’s life of service includes her 45-plus years as a member of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Camp Springs, where she served on the Parish Pastoral Council and as Prefect of the Sodality of Our Lady. Her favorite spot on the parish grounds was the Grotto for Our Lady which she donated in honor of her late husband. She was a regular attendee at Saturday morning Mass, where she led the recitation of the Rosary following the Mass.
Another of her favorite annual events was the weekend trip to Loyola in Faulkner, Maryland, for a silent retreat.

Visitation will be on Saturday, February 11, 2012, 10:00 a.m., St. Philip the Apostle Church, 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. 

Interment on Monday, February 13, 2012, 1:00 p.m., Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in Bernie’s memory, to the St. Philip the Apostle Church, Renovation Fund, 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746.

Ella Gilchrist

Ella Gilchrist

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