Obituary of Marilynn Gillespie

On December 16th 2023, Marilynn “Mimi” Mead Gillespie decided to go to heaven after 92 years on the earth.  Surely her late husband, Robert Brewer Gillespie and previously departed children, Lynn, Bruce, Maridee and Margaret, as well as many, many dogs, were there to greet her with open arms when she arrived.

She is survived by her remaining children, Elizabeth Kyle and her husband Gary, James and his wife Tamara; sister, Adrienne Tindall; nieces, Jill and Julie; grandchildren, Nolan Gardner, Annie and Malik Mathis, Sean and Amy Gillespie and Rory Gillespie; George Patterson, David Patterson and her great-grandchildren, Brewer, Warren, Sophia, Adalyn, Damian, Logan and Tristan.

She had an amazing life raising her family, running the First Presbyterian Church Rummage sale in Lake Fores, Illinois for over 10 years, creating museum quality needlepoint tapestries, making clothes and quilts for friends and family, her passion, building houses in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and managing a multi-million dollar composting company for 12 years.  

She was a kind, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved her dogs, quilting, and watching golf.  She always put the needs of others ahead of her own.  She enjoyed all that life had to offer.  She was active right up to the end of her life and faced the end with great dignity and courage.  She will be missed but her love will continue to be felt by everyone who knew and loved her.  Tonight many people will sleep under a quilt or blanket she made for them.  Goodnight, Mom.