Mary Gilliam

Mary Rose was born to her parents, Victoria Rose and Joe Norman Merritt, September 10th, 1952. Her and her older sister Sharon traveled frequently when they were younger due to her father’s position in the Air Force. Growing up Mary faced many trials and tribulations to overcome, to include the loss of her mother at a young age. They moved frequently from home to home and she and her sister were eventually separated in the foster system. She spent her teen years as a high schooler in Buhl, Idaho with her foster mother Jean. 

After high school Mary reconnected with her sister and went to Boise State University for a short time, before her adventurous side took over. She and three of her friends packed up their things and moved to the Bay Area in California. They spent a short time there, being young and enjoying themselves. Mary eventually returned to Boise, Idaho working various jobs in finance around the valley. During this time she had her three daughters Jeannie Buckley , Jenny Wilson, and Jody Buckley. While her daughters were young, Mary went on to nursing school. She completed her Associates Degree in Nursing from Boise State University in 1984. She worked as a RN at Saint Alphonsus Hospital and Saint Luke’s from 1984 to 2006. She lived a busy life, caring for others as an RN, while also caring for her three daughters at home. 

Mary met her second husband, Ronald Gilliam in 1989. They dated for several years before eventually marrying in 1993. Mary gained two more children in their marriage, April Richardson and Scot Gilliam. Throughout the 90's Mary and Ron lived a busy life. Both working in the medical field, while raising their young children and grand children. Their first grandchild, Cody, was born in the early 90's. Thus started the next chapter of Mary's life, being a grandparent. 

Between 1992 and 2020 Mary would go on to have 9 more grandchildren. To her daughter Jeannie, she had three grandchildren, Cody Mattingly (Dina), Tori Steele (Rob), Toni Mahon (Josh). To her daughter April Richardson (Dean) she had two grandsons, Ben Richardson and Sam Richardson. To her daughter Jody, she had two grandsons  Branden Spencer, and Nathan Spencer. To her daughter Jenny Wilson (Dale), she had 2 granddaughters Makala Wilson and Eris Wilson. 

In 2006 Mary and Ron left their home in Idaho and moved to the Oregon Coast. They frequently made trips to Boise to see their children and grandchildren. They were also happily visited by their family to the Oregon Coast. Mary and her sister and brother in law, Sharon Davis and Clyde Davis, stayed close and they visited eachother often. Mary and Ron participated in local events in Depoe Bay, Oregon staying active in the local events of their town. Mary was the head of local committees and had a large part to play in the annual Fleet of Flowers. Mary and Ron were voted couple of the year in 2014. Ron and Mary continued to work part time in the medical field in Oregon, until eventually retiring and living a simpler life. They enjoyed walking and spending time with their dogs, Crystal and Molly. Mary enjoyed wine, music and cheese. She loved receiving calls, videos and pictures from her kids and grandkids. 

Mary entered the last chapter of her life in 2015 when she recieved the honorary and most coveted title of Great Nana. She went on to have seven great grandchildren before the time of her passing. Mary and Ron spent their time traveling between their home in Depoe Bay to Lake Havasu, Arizona in their motor home. They would go on to eventually sell their home in Depoe Bay and move to Green Valley, Arizona for warmer climates.

Mary passed away the morning of February 7th 2022. She had her nails recently done, and was getting ready to go have her hair cut. She took great pride in always looking her best.

Mary is predeceased in life by her father, mother, and brothers Paul and John.

Mary leaves behind her husband Ronald Gilliam, 5 children, 9 Grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She leaves behind many spouses, siblings, extended family that greatly loved Mary. She leaves us with enduring memories of love, phone calls, singing us happy birthday, walking with us, listening to our hopes, dreams, and fears. Mary may have started in a less than ideal childhood; she did not let this stop her from spreading her love through four generations and creating a family legacy that will live for several decades after her passing. 

Mary was loved and will always be remembered fondly.