Mary T. Gillen

Mary T. Gillen, age 97 of St. Clair Shore, Michigan passed away on December 12, 2020. She was born on August 27, 1923 to the proud parents of Wilfred and Malvina Healy. Mary is the beloved wife to the late John Gillen. She is the loving mother to Malvina (the late Gary) Remington, Peter (Jade) Gillen, John Gillen, and Margaret McLaughlin. Mary is the cherished grandmother to 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. She is the dear sister to Joan Weber, Rita Healy, and Helen (Brian) Flanagan. Mass of the resurrection will take place on Saturday December 19, 2020, at 10:00 am, at St. Joan of Arc Parish 22412 Overlake Street, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080. Family will receive friends on Friday December 18, 2020, from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, at Kaul Funeral Home 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48081. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Mary to St. Bonaventure Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

Because of Covid Virus restrictions, there will be no viewing of the body at St. Joan of Arc Parish. And there will be no dinner after the funeral.

A short Biography:

As the eldest in a family of 10 children, Mother grew up on a farm in the small town of Strathroy Ontario, Canada. Mother milked the cow and helped out with other farming chores. Upon her horse, Daisy, Mother used to round up the cattle.

When Mother was 14, her family Farm was foreclosed upon. And for several years, thereafter, her family struggled to get by. The winters were harsh. A single wood burning stove supplied heat to their entire home. They had no indoor plumbing. Mother would go to school, come home, and then go to her bookkeeping job.

During the War years (World War 2), Mother worked as a welder in a factory that made War materials. Mother eventually saved up enough money to attend business college for 2 years.

Mother married my dad, John (my Mother called him Jack), in 1950. In 1959, my dad died suddenly from a heart attack. After being widowed with 4 small children, Mother worked two jobs to support her family. However, even with her full schedule, Mother always made time for her children. Mother attended all our school events, including Parent-Teacher Conferences.

We have many fond childhood memories:

Mother would often sing to us on our occasional (Friday night) 3 hour car rides to Grandma’s house in Canada.

Mother would take us out to dinner at Friar Tuck’s Restaurant (in St. Clair Shores) after we attended Mass on Sunday.

Mother would take us to the local roller skating ring. Mother would take us to the Boblo Island Amusement Park. Mother would take us to pool parties during the summer months.

Most of all, Mother was always there for us when we needed her. And she would always tell us that she loved us. She was a very tender, comforting, nurturing and loving Mother!!

Mother spent over 50 years in the Real Estate Business. Many of her customers (and clients) became lifelong friends.

These people would often use the following words to describe Mother: Dynamic, rigorously honest, a tireless worker, down-to-earth, joyful, generous, kind, and an amazing multi-tasker!

(Freda, Mother’s Real Estate Broker friend, said that Mother was “a Legendary Detroit Real Estate Broker.”)

Although she sometimes struggled with self doubt, and worried about making ends meet—Mother was, more than anything else, a woman of faith:

She helped the needy with both her time and with her money.

She contributed financially to many charitable organizations.

She would give reassuring words of hope and encouragement to people going through difficult times. She would convey to these people how important God was in her life. And she would tell these people that she would pray for them.

Mother spent a large part of her career working with low income Relocation Customers. They considered Mother to be a very loving person, who was a very dedicated and diehard advocate for them. Someone who would loudly stick up for them at Real Estate Closings.

Mother attended daily Mass each day. And often Mother would make a short visit to St. Judes Catholic Church (in Detroit) after showing a home.

In her retirement years, Mother would spend at least 3 hours each day reading her Catholic prayers, novenas, devotions, and Bible Scriptures. And she would say several rosaries each day for the many people on her prayer list.

Additional facts:

—Mother was a Secular Franciscan for over 60 years.

—Mother attended Catholic Charismatic Prayer Meetings.

—Mother was also a highly skilled Legal Secretary. Over the years she worked part time for many different Attorneys, including Attorney Robert W. Plumpe.

—Mother had a great belly-laugh—that caused everyone in the room break out laughing.

—Mother loved to dance. Over the years she belonged to many dance groups. Dancing the Tango was her passion!

—Mother loved watching “The Lawrence Welk Show” on television.

—Mother loved riding horses. She even rode a horse when she was 80 years old.

—Mother loved to go shopping; and she loved to wear colorful clothes.

—Mother loved to travel. She traveled to many popular cities in the United States. And she traveled to many Foreign Countries.

—Mother Loved the mint chocolate-chip ice cream that her friend, Dick, would bring her; Mother loved lemon rice soup that I would bring her from Charlie’s Restaurant; and Mother loved the chocolate-chip brownies that Julie would bring her.

—Mother Courageously endured a lot of physical pain during the last 14 years. Mother was extremely grateful for the support network of close christian friends who were devoted to her during this time. She confided in them. And these great Prayer Warriors were always there for her when she was anxious.

—Mother Was a great, supportive phone-buddy for all her adult kids.

—Mother went on many Catholic Pilgrimages, including a Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.

—Mother died on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Mother was devoted to Our Blessed Mother.

—In Timothy 4:7, St. Paul said: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race...." These words also apply to my Mother.