Mary Lanie Elaine Gilson

Mary Elaine Gilson, known by her family and friends as Lanie, was born January 28, 1941 in San Antonio, Texas to John H. McDonald and Edna Sturges McDonald. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 10, 2016. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother John Murray McDonald. Mary is survived by her sister and brother in law, Elizabeth and Raiford Foster, her daughter and son in law Debbie and Steve Stranges, and her son and daughter in law Dean and Amy Gilson. She is also survived by her grandchildren Keith and Jennifer Gilson, Paige and Zachary Clark, and Cailynne and Braydon Gilson. Mary was blessed to be a great grandmother to Robin and Corey.

Mary graduated from Alamo Heights High School and attended San Antonio College as well as The University of Texas at San Antonio. She retired from the Office of the Registrar at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Dickinson, Texas. She established prayer shawl ministries at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio and at Holy Trinity. She volunteered at the thrift shop supporting the ministries of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Friendswood, Texas, and was a member of the Daughters of the King, and the Altar Guild. Mary looked for opportunities to volunteer and perform charitable good works that included providing aid for the homeless. She lived her life in joy and grace and blessed all her knew her.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 13th at 5:00 pm at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the American Heart Association or the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 4316 State Hwy 3, Dickinson, TX 77539.