Mary Anne Gilmore

August  11th, 1947 December  11th, 2024
Lexington, Virginia
Mary Anne Gilmore

Obituary

Mary Anne (Middlemas) Gilmore lived from August 11, 1947 until December 11, 2024. She died of heart failure although her heart never failed her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Cecilia and John Middlemas, her brother David, and her sister Sue Ellen. She is survived by her siblings John, Celia, and Maile; her children Seth, Brennan, and Meredyth (son-in-law Steven Hall); her grandchildren Michael and Meridian Hall; and her husband of 57 years, Lowry Michael Gilmore.

In lieu of a standard obituary she asked friends to read the following poem:

Kindness

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness
you must travel where the Indian in a white       poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.

Naomi Shihab Nye

Mary Anne was a strong supporter of the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council and was a registered anatomical donor to the University of Virginia Medical Center. She was a teacher, a social worker in hospitals and prisons, and a beloved mother and grandmother. She lived her life always thinking of how she could help others. At a later date her family will celebrate her life at Ka’ena Point near her childhood home on Oahu, Hawaii.

Memory wall

Post your condolences or share your Memories.


January 10, 2025
You did your best to be your brothers keeper. My visits during summer were memorable. It was complete culture shock when i went there. I did not understand that way of living then. But i do now. You had something figured out. And the memories you gave my sister and i will always be crystal clear in my head. Thanks for showing me a way to be, a way to live. That i can now aspire to find myself. The Priorities of God, family, and enjoying this beautiful planet we live on. Love you Aunt Mary Anne.
John David Whitaker
December 17, 2024
Dear Mike, Brennan, Seth, and Meredyth- I am so sorry you have lost your wife and mother. She had such an enduring spirit to pursue people, elevate their good, and speak with honesty. I will always remember her as a person who focused on the important things- character, kindness, friendship, education, and love, and I will always be grateful for the ways she supported my music. Thank you for believing in me, Mary Anne. I pray for God’s grace and mercies to each of you as you grieve her departure. She is free and healed now, which is a glorious thing.
Julia Kwolyk
December 16, 2024
I was sitting in church on Sunday morning and all of a sudden it hit me that I would never again in my life know anyone like Mary Anne. I never knew anyone like her. I can hear her voice tonight as though she were in the room. We work together in the 1970s in child welfare in Ithaca New York. And then over the last number of years we have spent hours on the phone together talking about life and death and life after death. She was a woman of beautiful faith and I will miss her all my life. I send so much love to all of her family and especially to Mike. What a beautiful thing to have spent your life together. How she loved you. How you loved her.
Linda Moore
December 15, 2024
Mary Anne was the most caring and kind person out there. She was very nice to everyone and she treated me as if I was one of her children! I spent almost 8 months at her house and she was truly a blessing in my life. She loved to learn about others. She had an amazing smile and would always be happy to talk and to share stories with others.
She was a wise woman and I liked to hear her opinion about different things.
She always cared about me and my family especially through the difficult times. She will be always in my heart! She was always a second mom to me! May her soul rest in peace!
Khaldun Awayssa
December 15, 2024
Mike I am so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Connie Juntunen
December 14, 2024
Mary Anne was a dear friend and neighbor. After dinner, we often take a walk around the neighborhood, a highlight of which would be to stop and visit with Mary Anne and Mike, who enjoyed the evening on their front porch. Mary Anne was so incredibly kind, thoughtful, cheerful, funny, and curious. She loved community and engaging in conversation. She shared her views with eloquence and passion and listened to us just as intently. She would inquire about our son, Christopher, now 29, whom she taught in kindergarten Sunday School. She always sought to broaden her horizons and help others.

We miss you, Mary Anne. May God rest your soul and comfort your family.
Rich and Nancy Bidlack
December 12, 2024
During a 2008 US visit, Mary Anne's son, Brennan, kindly introduced me to his wonderful mother, and family. He had generously hosted this foreign student (and relative stranger) in his work accommodation. I was curious to meet the family of this generous and thoughtful person I came to call a friend. What a privilege to visit a truly joyful and loving home (and to return many times since). Mary Anne's open heart was at its center. Like others commenting here, I felt her warmth and love just being in the same room. Love, kindness and empathy (so reflective of her) are so beautifully captured in that poem she selected. I will miss her. Mike, Brennan, Meredyth, Seth: Our family sends you all our love at this time of loss.
Chris Mahony
December 12, 2024
December 12 2024

I met Mary Anne in 1990 on Westside Court Have you ever met someone and felt that you have known them your whole life, well that is the way I felt with Mary Anne. I found out that she went to the same elementary school that my daughter went to and lived down the court from where I lived in Hawaii. She was more than a friend to me , she was family.
Andria A White
December 12, 2024
While I never met Mrs. Gilmore, I was fortunate to work with her son Brennan in several positions at the State Department. If one can tell the character of the parents through the character of the son then she was truly a most remarkable individual. My condolences and prayers for healing comfort at this moment of great loss for the Gilmore family.
Carl Paschall
December 12, 2024
I was a college roommate of Mary Ann. Mary Ann guided me through my life with kindness, insights and compassion that few people possess. She was tireless in her support for me and my family for over 60 years. Her guiding light will be sorely missed. As Mary Ann's family you have been blessed beyond measure by the example she set by her living and her words. So sorry for your loss.
The picture was taken in New York City when Seth was a baby.
Dona Marie Kwolyk
December 12, 2024
Dear Mike & family, I am so sorry for your loss. I got to know Mary Anne through our walks at Huntley Meadows and other get-togethers during her time with Mike in Alexandria. She was such a lovely and kind person. May you all find peace as you navigate through this difficult time.
Mary Riley
December 12, 2024
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Gilmore family. Mary Ann was a special person; warm, kind and generous. It was a privilege meeting and knowing her. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you during this difficult period.
Michael Bishop
December 12, 2024
I'm so sorry for your loss Brennan. May your lovely Mom Rest in Eternal Peace. My deep condolences to you and to the family.
Hana Samuel
December 12, 2024
Mary Anne was my college roommate & friend for 60 years. She touched me with her kindness & I will always be so grateful for her presence in my life. She made the world a better place & for that we are all blessed.
Sue Spencer
December 12, 2024
I’m so sorry for your loss. My mom spoke of her sister, as if they were almost twins. Now, they’re right next to each other in a place that has no pain. I loved how crafty she was, with her red, white, and blue 4th of July cakes. She will be deeply missed and is loved by many!
Lilli Parrow
December 12, 2024
Such a sweet nice lady. Had the most beautiful smile I've ever seen! May she rest in Eternal Peace. My condolences to the family and friends she has touched in so many ways.
Davina Jackson

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