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Mary Pauline (Kelley) Gillis, age 90, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 23. She was the loving wife and best friend of the late Dexter C. Gillis with whom she shared over 52 years of marriage.
The daughter of the late John Leo Kelley Jr. and Sarah (Crowell) Kelley, Mary was born and raised in Marblehead. She graduated from St. Mary's High School, Lynn with the Class of 1955.
After staying home to raise her children, she later enjoyed working at Camilla's Den Clothing in Marblehead and providing medical billing for several doctors including at Salem Pediatrics and Salem OBGYN.
Along with her husband, Mary was dedicated to the Marblehead community. She was lifelong and active member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish and its ministries. She was also a member of the Women’s Guild and Shipyard Association.
Nothing was more important to Mary than her family. A loving and devoted wife, she cherished her late husband, Dexter and believed that she had married her soul mate. She cherished spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren whom she adored and become her main focus. She also really enjoyed dining out with her family and friends, including a circle of over 19 of her St. Mary's high school classmates with whom she had re-connected over the past several years.
Mary was the loving mother of Ann Marie Finch and her husband, Scott of Marblehead, the late Chief Warrant Officer Michael Gillis, U.S.M.C. and the late Sharon Carlson; the cherished grandmother of Tyler Carlson, Hannah (Carlson) Hayes and her husband Timothy, Corey Finch, Kyle Finch and his fiancé, Halle McKay, Connor Finch and the late Brandon Finch; and the dear sister of the late John Leo Kelley. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Funeral Mass for Mary will be held on Friday, October 2 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will follow in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (tunnel2towers.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Mary’s family.
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