Marjean Gilley

Marjean Gilley, 91, of Carrollton, TX was called to the Lord on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Marjean was born on September 16, 1933 to the late Thomas and Sophie Berg. She was the youngest of 3 siblings and was preceded in death by her sisters Beverly Shultz and Dorothy Berg.

Marjean grew up in Racine, WI where her family ran a local grocery business. She attended the University of Wisconsin and completed a bachelor’s degree in home economics. There, she met her husband, the love of her life, Richard Gilley. They married May 12, 1956.

After marrying, they moved to Germany where Richard would serve in the Army following completion of ROTC. Following time in the service, they moved to Illinois where Richard worked as an engineer and Marjean’s primary job was raising their 3 children. During that time, she developed a passion for gardening and various arts and crafts including painting ceramics and bunka embroidery. When her kids were older, she went to work in a bridal shop and later, after moving to Dallas, went to work in the housewares department at Dillard’s.

Marjean enjoyed playing bingo and was always happy to make a trip to a casino to play the slot machines or to take a cruise. She was also an avid football fan, especially cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, and Wisconsin Badgers.

Marjean was a long-time member of Mary Immaculate Church in Farmers Branch. Responding to a call to serve those in need, she was active with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the church, running the food pantry for 10 years. She forged long-lasting friendships with a church group that called themselves “the 6:30 a.m. crazies”.

Marjean valued family and the ideals of family—especially compassion, forgiveness, communication, respect, and a sense of belonging. She lived into those values. Over her lifetime, she created close bonds with people that she would describe as her sister, nephew, son, or daughter. For them, Marjean was a sister, aunt, or mother.

Marjean’s church family at Mary Immaculate was important to her and to the Gilley family. She remained connected to special friends who provided support, friendship, care, and prayers to the very end.

She is survived by her 3 children: Michael (Lisa), Mariann Newberry, and David (Natalie Nixon); 5 grandchildren: Chloe, Helen, Caroline, Alexander, and Zoe; and 1 great grandchild, Michael.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 2800 Valwood Parkway, Farmers Branch, TX 75234.