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With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Olga Redosh Gilligan announces her peaceful passing on August 2, 2025, one month shy of her 96th birthday. Olga's long life was filled with love, faith, family, and adventure--a beautiful legacy that continues to inspire all who knew her.
Born to John and Mary Redosh, Olga was the cherished third child and only daughter in a close-knit, faith-filled Ukrainian family. Raised with rich traditions that she lovingly passed on--including Ukrainian (little) Christmas, decorating pysanky (Easter eggs), pierogi dinners, and her signature beet horseradish--Olga embodied a deep cultural pride and spiritual devotion. Her Catholic faith was a guiding light throughout her life; she prayed daily, attended Mass faithfully, and cultivated a deep love of God.
A proud graduate of Wheeling High School (Class of 1947), Olga pursued her calling in nursing at the Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing, where she forged lifelong friendships. True to her adventurous spirit, she moved to New York City to work at Bellevue Hospital. There, fate stepped in and introduced her to the love of her life, Frank Gilligan. The two were married on May 2, 1953, at St. Anthony's Church on 18th Street and began a beautiful journey together--first in New Jersey, then returning to Wheeling in 1959, where they raised five children grounded in faith, love, and community.
Olga worked as a devoted pediatric nurse at OVGH and later at the Wheeling Clinic, serving countless families with compassion and skill. But her greatest role--one she embraced with joy and grace--was that of matriarch. Her home was the heart of every holiday, celebration, and gathering. She took immense pride in building and nurturing the strong bonds among her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her generosity, love, and warm kitchen & home was filled with laughter and food making everyone feel at home.
Olga was also a woman of insatiable curiosity and wanderlust. She saw the world not just through her eyes, but through the joy of experience- traveling to Austria, Ireland, Australia, Hawaii, Canada, and throughout Europe and the United States, most of it later in life. Yet her most cherished destination was always Garden City, South Carolina. It was there that she and her husband began a family tradition that has become a cornerstone of their legacy: the annual beach vacation. Year after year, children and grandchildren gathered at the shore, drawn together by the rhythms of the tide and the deep love they cultivated. The sun, sand, and salt air became synonymous with family, laughter, and joy. Those beach trips remain among the most cherished memories for multiple generations of Gilligan's.
A lover of good food, especially spaghetti and meatballs, she was even better company, Olga was known for her ability to make friends wherever she went--from the Welty Home to Continuous Care and beyond. Her warmth, sense of humor, and twinkling eyes left an imprint on everyone she met.
Olga is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 55 years, Frank Gilligan; her parents, John and Mary Laingo Redosh; her brothers, Paul and John Redosh (and sister-in-law Martha); countless aunts and uncles, and her precious grandchildren Kerri Ann Gilligan, Megan and Erin Penny.
She is lovingly remembered by her five children: Sherri (Bob) Penny, Terry (Patricia) Gilligan, Sandra (Thomas) Conaway, Tim (Christy) Gilligan, and Shelley Gilligan. Her legacy continues through eight grandchildren: Kristin Morris, Kathleen Gilligan, Kimberly Kelley, Marc Conaway, Matthew Conaway, Jordan Penny, Alyssa Gilligan, and Kayla Gilligan; and six great-grandchildren: Heather Good, Calla Conaway, Liam Morris, Quinn, Wrenley, and Emmerson Kelley.
She didn't just build a home--she built a foundation of family, faith, and tradition that we will carry with us forever.
The Gilligan family extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated caregivers at Continuous Care and to all who loved and supported Olga throughout her extraordinary life.
In honoring Olga's beautiful life, we celebrate not only her years, but the light and love she brought to the world.
Friends and family will be received on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm at Altmeyer Funeral Homes Wheeling Chapel, 1400 Eoff St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 1300 Eoff St, followed by a Committal Service at 2:15 pm at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Bishop's Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions may be made in her name to Central Catholic High School, 75 14th St, Wheeling, WV 26003 by visiting tmcfunding.com.
Memories and condolences may be shared with Olga's family at altmeyerfuneralhomes.com.
Well done, good and faithful servant -- Enter into the joy of your Lord.