Natalie McGillen

NATALIE RIFENBURG MCGILLEN

12/8/1924 - 4/23/2026

Natalie (née Rifenburg) McGillen, affectionately called “Sara”, 101, of Folsom, died April 23 at home. She was the widow of the late James F. McGillen who died in 2010, and daughter of the late Nathan and Hattie Morgan Rifenburg.

Born in Milford, DE, Natalie grew up first in Boothwyn and then in Ogden, PA in homes her father built. She began her education at the one room Ogden Elementary School for grades 1 through 3 and graduated from Boothwyn High School in 1942.

Natalie worked first at Western Union, followed by stints at Chester Wholesale, General Chemical, Synvar, and Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corp. In 1952, she married James McGillen and prioritized becoming a mother and homemaker; the marriage lasted the next 58 years until his death. They bought a home in Folsom where they raised six children, and where she still lived 72 years later. She did all of the painting, wall-papering, and wood refinishing in the house herself.

Mrs. McGillen appreciated learning and took various night school courses including creative writing, oil painting, and American Sign Language; she also practiced Hatha yoga for many years. She was particularly interested in genealogical research; her ancestral roots in this country trace back to the 1700’s. She loved being with others, above all, with friends and family. Her home was always open to company and a constant hub of activity. Natalie also enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and loved dancing, especially with her husband. When he developed Alzheimer’s disease, she cared for him at home for more than six years before he had to be placed into a skilled nursing home.

She was proud to have served for 20 years as a volunteer at Contact Philadelphia, one of the area’s earliest crisis telephone call centers, and was recognized for this achievement. She was a member of Our Lady of Peace church in Milmont Park for decades.

Natalie was predeceased by her sisters, Evelyn Avista Dunlap, Marie Adele Boyle, and Luella G. Reiter, grandson James Fortunato Jr., and son-in-law Frank DeBellis.

She is survived by her children Veronica McGillen, Patricia McGillen, Michael McGillen, Peter McGillen, Shawn (Mary Jo) McGillen, Melissa (Jim) Fortunato. Grandchildren: Lehia, Alleshia, Emily, Ryan, Sean, Dan, Brody, Michael, Jake, Nick, and Maddie; five great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church, 208 Milmont Ave., Milmont Park where relatives and friends may call 9:15 to 10:45 AM. Burial will follow in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

Memorial gifts to City Team Chester, PO Box 89, Media, PA 19063 would be appreciated.