Arvilla D. Gallup

SMETHPORT, Pa. — Arvilla D. Gallup, age 86, of Smethport, passed away peacefully Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Lakeview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Smethport.

Born Nov. 27, 1938, in Belmont, N.Y. and raised in Bolivar, N.Y., she was the daughter of Samuel and Irma Hinds Griswold. Arlie married Emery A. Gallup on June 15, 1963, in Port Allegany. He predeceased her three weeks earlier, on July 23.

Arlie graduated from Allentown High School and dedicated herself to raising seven children while also working for many years. Her employment included positions at Olean Tile, preflight security, and later at the Hertz desk at Bradford Regional Airport.

Embarking upon a new chapter later in life, she attended Saint Francis School of Nursing in Olean, N.Y., earning her LPN diploma. Her nursing tenure included service at Bradford Ecumenical Home Inc. and retirement from Sena Kean Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, after which she continued working in home care through Aveanna Healthcare.

Arlie pursued a wide range of interests throughout her life, which included pottery kilning and painting. Her nativity scenes remain treasured by several family members. Her talent for photography enabled her to capture memorable moments during family gatherings, eventually leading to a paid role assembling albums for weddings and special occasions later in life.

Arlie and Emery shared a love for square dancing, belonging to the Jacks and Jills square dance club in Bradford, often attending local events and a National Square Dance Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1973.

She regularly visited state parks, especially during the fall foliage season, and was known for baking Christmas cookies and buns, hosting large holiday dinners for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Arlie was an adamant supporter of her children’s academic and athletic pursuits and served as a camp nurse at Lutheran Church camps.

She always had a vision for projects to upgrade the family home. Not all projects began when she wanted, and a few times she had to resort to a trick that her sister Millie let her know about. Millie’s first husband, Larry, was a carpenter. When Millie couldn’t get Larry to start a project, she would walk through the house with a hammer, which would get Larry’s attention and prompt him to fix/upgrade before Millie began to use the hammer.

Arlie is survived by five sons, Jonathan L. Gallup of Shinglehouse, Gerald P. (Laurie) Gallup of Ft. Mill, S.C., Emery A. (Nina) Gallup Jr. of Bel Air, Md., Shane P. (Annette) Gallup of Denver, N.C. and Gregory C. (Cristina) Gallup of Rochester, Minn. She is also survived by one daughter, Loretta “Lori” Bolles of Mt. Jewett; and a daughter-in-law, Melissa Gallup of Eldred. Arlie was a proud grandmother to Anthony, Jonathan, Louisa, Shane, Meghan, Kyle, Wade, Samantha, Jessica, Jesse, Alison, David, Whitney, Kayla, Katie and Maggie; and a great-grandmother to 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers, Phillip of Gifford Ill., Mildred of Fort Myers Fla., Charles (Pauline) of Batavia N.Y., Georgia of Fort Myers, Alice of Gainesville N.Y., Isaac of Salamanca N.Y. and David of Bolivar; brother-in-law, Ralph Osgood of Caledonia N.Y.; brother-in-law, Cecil (Phyllis) Gallup of Smethport; along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Leslie D. Gallup; brothers, Duane, Samuel and Timothy; one sister, Shirley Osgood; brother-in-law, Larry Everett; brother-in-law, Terry Haxton; sister-in-law, Betty Griswold; and nephew, TJ Haxton.

A memorial service for Arlie will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Smethport Methodist Church, with Rev. Max Simms officiating. A celebration of life will be held at the church following the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.