Mary Gilliam

Mary Gilliam (December 8, 1914 ~ May 26, 2010)

Mary Gilliam, a resident of Sierra Vista Retirement Community in Santa Fe, passed away peacefully in the company of family on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. She was born in December 8, 1914 to Manuel and Mary Arruda in Fall River, MA. She was a devoted wife and mother who spent many years as a Navy wife residing at various duty stations across the country before settling in Santa Fe in 1952. Following the death of her father, she assisted her mother in the raising of four brothers and two sisters while working in the textile mills of Massachusetts prior to marry Jack Gilliam, her husband of 69 years.

She is preceded in death by parents, Manuel and Mary Arruda, brothers Manuel Jr., Frank, and Joseph Arruda, sister Agnes Sears of Fall River, MA, son Robert Gilliam of Santa Fe, NM, and granddaughter Tanya Gilliam of Santa Fe, NM. She is survived by husband Jack Gilliam, son Richard and wife Patricia Gilliam of Santa Fe, NM, sister Emily Gaudreau of Phoenix, AZ, brother John Arruda of Fall River, MA, grandchildren Michelle Torrez and Mark Gilliam of N. Hollywood, CA, nieces Cheryle Aguirre of Phoenix, AZ, and Janice Portier of Fall River, MA.

She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and sister who made countless personal sacrifices for the benefit of her family.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated on June 1, 2010 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Burial took place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.