Meta S. Gaul

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of the most loved and amazing woman. Meta S. Gaul (nee Stewart) gained her wings on April 16, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Howard M. Gaul, a loving mother to Howard (Tammy), and Jerry (the late Teresa), a little sister to Francis Ivan Stewart Jr., and the famous “Nanny,” to four grandchildren: Kyle (April) Gaul, Julianna (Emmett) Shanks, Kevin Gaul, and Alexa Gaul. Meta was a proud great grandmother to all of her fur babies, especially Gum Gum Gaul. To know her was to love her.

 

Meta was born on June 15, 1938, to the late Francis I. Stewart and Margaret (Greta) Scott in Chestnut Hill Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Wyndmoor, PA on Southampton Avenue. She attended Wyndmoor Elementary School, Hilcrest Junior High, and graduated from the brand-new Springfield High School. She played tennis and field hockey throughout her childhood. Meta’s father worked as a gardener, in charge of the greenhouse, at “The Macklehenny Estate” commonly known as “The Poe Estate” on Montgomery Avenue. She was a nanny long before she was Nanny. Meta took care of Mrs. Poe’s grandchildren. Meta attended business school in Germantown. She worked as a bookkeeper at Germantown savings. Growing up, her family was very involved in the Loyal Orange Institution USA. It was here at the Orange home where she met the love of her life, Bucky. In 1963, they were married at St. Pauls in Chestnut Hill. Two years later in 1965, Meta had her first son Howard. Jerry was born two years following. Being a mother was one of her most favorite accomplishments. Because of such love for her children, she also worked at their schools as the cook at Hilcrest. She was the den mother for both cub scouts and boy scouts and loved nothing more than spending time with her boys. As her boys grew older, Meta worked at The Whistle Stop, took care of so many elderly loved ones, and was the main babysitter for all of her friends. Meta was so proud of her family and continued her love for the Lodge. Meta and her husband and sons were crucial parts of the organizations they belonged to. Meta worked her way up the ranks and was the supreme grand mistress of the Loyal Orange Lady’s Lodge of the United States of America.

 

The kind of person Meta was – was the person everyone aspires to be. A caring, warm, welcoming, loving, magnificent woman. Meta was a woman of many passions. She loved the beach. All things lighthouses, seagulls, footprints on the sand, feeding the ducks, watching the tide go by on her dock, and getting her vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, were some of Meta’s favorites. Meta loved driving her car. She had a love for gardening and was passionate about her Easter lilies. Meta loved a good book, reading the daily newspaper, the latest edition of the magazine, and keeping up to date with the Royal family. When she wasn’t reading or knitting, Dancing With The Stars and The Bachelor were her favorite shows to watch. She was an amazing baker and chef. A family favorite was always her scones and pumpkin bread. Every holiday was made memorable due to Meta. Thanksgivings at the beach – where the cooking aroma filled the house from the second you woke up; well aware you were not to enter the kitchen for it was Meta’s time to shine. Celebrating Christmas, Easter, and the 4^th & 12^th of July was always made special because of Meta.

 

Meta was the most generous person, always very involved within her community and giving back. Meta loved attending church and being involved there. She was a member of the altar guild at St. Phillips in the Fields and served the church in a variety of ways for many years: whether it was on the guild, Sunday school teaching, or training the acolytes. Through the church, Meta played a large role in donations of food, clothes, money to charities, knitting hats for the sailors, army men, merchant marines, making mittens for the underprivileged, and so much more. Her love for giving back carried beyond the church as she would knit prayer shawls and scarfs for cancer survivors, volunteer at the Variety Club, & participate in the walks for Autism; walking forever if her legs allowed.

 

Meta, of course, was involved in a knitting club and was a member of the needle point guild, with all of her girl friends of which she adored. She would attend all of the senior luncheons and bus trips out to Lancaster to see the plays- never missed one! Meta was a wonderful friend to have and was proud of the close friendships she had maintained over the years with the girls she graduated high school with. Meta always looked forward to going out to lunch regularly with them. In addition to her high school friends, Meta had a special bond with her neighbors. In particularly, nothing made Meta happier than the sixty years of friendship she shared with JoAnn D’Andrea. JoAnn’s efforts and love towards Meta was what kept her spirits going after the passing of her husband.

 

Due to her husband’s involvement with Scottish pipe bands, Meta held an active role in assisting the band in any way possible. Whether it was sewing buttons back on jackets, having to dewrinkle a kilt, or providing food at the house for everyone to crash at after practices – Meta was always there. So much so that she accidentally began a family tradition. Every fourth of July the band always played in the Oreland parade. The Gaul house on St. Clair started out as the place to walk to, cool down, and enjoy your refreshing beverage with a nice slice of watermelon cut by Meta. This small gathering turned into an annual bash with patriotism, bagpipes, tractors, delicious food, wonderful spirits, and amongst what felt like the entire population of Oreland.

 

Meta’s family wishes for Meta’s life to be remembered for her light, her love, and her perfectly manicured red nails. A life as selfless as hers- a life full of compassion, generosity, and care- will be eternally cherished and ever so missed by those lucky enough to have known her. Relatives and friends are invited to Meta’s visitation Friday 5/8, 9:30 to 11am at Craft Funeral Home of Erdenheim, 814 Bethlehem Pike, Erdenheim, PA 19038. Her memorial service will follow at 11am. Interment private.  A luncheon and celebration of life will follow the memorial service at Flourtown Country Club. In lieu of flowers contributions in Meta’s name may be made to the Variety Club Camp, and Development Center – Worcester, 2950 Potshop Rd., P.O. Box 609, Worcester, PA 19490.