Mary Lucile Gillette

Mary Lucile Gillette, 79, of Wapello passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello.  Burial will be in Wapello Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at the funeral home.    A memorial for the Wapello Fire and Rescue has been established in Mary’s name. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Mary Lucile Briggs was born on December 17, 1941 in Letts, Iowa the daughter of Lewis Harry and Merle Cleo (Reid) Briggs.  Mary attended schools in the L&M School District.  On September 4, 1965, Mary was united in marriage to Keith Edward Gillette in Letts.  Mary was a homemaker who did babysitting in her home for many families over the years.  She attended Solid Rock Baptist Church.   She was a two-time International Martial Arts Group Hall of Fame Inductee, being the Parent of the Year in 2019 and Volunteer of the Year in 2021.  She attended many martial arts tournaments and was adopted as “mom” by everyone.  She enjoyed her animals, Sugarbaby and Chica; loved being Nana to Jasper, Braxton, Baylee and Rowan and collecting angels.

Mary will be deeply missed by her daughter, Tammy Sue Gillette of Wapello; special daughter, Sara (Scott) Sanderson of Kings, Illinois; siblings, Robert Briggs of Muscatine and Lois Larson of California and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Keith; siblings, John Briggs, Pat Glenn, Orville Briggs, Junior Briggs and Phyllis Lindle and infant sister, Betty Jean Briggs.