Marilyn A. Gillis, 77

MOULTONBOROUGH — Marilyn A. (White) Gillis, 77, of Moultonborough, formerly of Natick, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Aug. 23, 2025.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, William "Bill." In addition to her husband Bill, she is lovingly remembered and adored by her sons and their families: William and his daughter Alexa, Stephen and his daughter Kelsey and sons Corey and Matthew, and Jeffrey and his wife Kathryn and their daughter Abigail and son Thomas. Marilyn is also survived by her cousin, Sr. Mary Farren, SNDdeN, who lived with Marilyn and her parents for many years growing up.

Marilyn grew up in Brighton, Massachusetts, with her parents Shelson and Alice (Linehan) White. She was a graduate of Our Lady of Presentation Academy. Marilyn received her education degree from Perry Normal School, now Curry College. Bill and Marilyn married in 1969, and settled in Natick, to raise their boys. Although she took time off to raise the boys, Marilyn worked her way back into teaching, specifically at Kennedy Junior High School in Natick, where she worked in special education for 30 years.

Aside from her family, one of Marilyn’s true loves in life was music. Marilyn was a gifted musician with a beautiful voice. She played the piano, violin and fiddle, guitar and banjo, and was a member of numerous bluegrass bands over the later years of her life. Notably, she was a member of the New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble and the Merrimack Valley Bluegrass Band. Bill was always her number one fan and roadie.

Marilyn’s happy place was on Long Island in Moultonborough, or anywhere she and Bill could take their boat on Lake Winnipesaukee. Marilyn and Bill first bought land on Long Island in 1969, and retired there full time in 2014. Marilyn’s most cherished memories were of times at the lake with Bill and her children and grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia.

A calling hour will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 300 Route 25, Meredith.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen.

A reception will follow the graveside service at Alan's of Boscawen Restaurant, 133 N. Main St., Boscawen.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lakes Region Visiting Nurses Association, 186 Waukewan St., Meredith, NH 03253, or Forestview Manor, 153 Parade Road, Meredith, NH 03253.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.