Mary A. Hathaway Gill

Mary A. (Hathaway) Gill passed away peacefully at her home in Benton Harbor, MI, on Tuesday, June 14th, 2016. Mary, age 93, was born to Dee and Delia Farrell, on May 11, 1923 in Enville, TN. In 1929, her family moved to Kennett, MO where she grew up and attended high school.  She married Clifford J. Hathaway on August 4, 1944 and moved to Clayton, MI where they raised five children.  After the children were grown, she and Cliff moved to Adrian. Following Clifford’s death in 1979, she moved to Tavares, Florida, where she married Jim Gill in 1987. Following Jim’s death in 2003, she moved to Benton Harbor to live with her daughter, Candace (Hathaway) Onweller and son-in-law, Richard.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Marshall, James, Nelson, Theodore and John and her sister, Inetha. Also preceding was her husband, Clifford Hathaway and her second husband, Jim Gill, both WW II veterans. She was also preceded by her son, Paul.

Surviving are her children, Steven (Kathleen) Hathaway of Kalamazoo, MI, Roger Hathaway of Toledo, OH, Stanley (Marilyn) Hathaway of Memphis, TN, and Candace Hathaway (Richard) Onweller of St. Joseph, MI, along with 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Mary loved working in the garden, singing in the church choir, quilting and crocheting and many other hobbies. She was a godly woman and a good woman, inspiring many with her kindness and friendliness.  To her, a stranger was simply a friend she had not yet met, whose hands she had not held, and affection she had not yet bestowed. Everyone who helped care for her, especially here in Michigan in the last 10 years, thought she was a real sweetie and quite humorous.

In her 93 years, Mary experienced poverty, lots of hard work, death of loved ones, tribulations and triumphs.  Through it all, her faith was strong as was her voice, lifted in praise, whether in church or community choirs or chores on the farm.  Now that voice rings out in the amen corner of Heaven, shouting Hallelujah as she joins hands with family members who passed before.

Special mention and contributions can be made to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085, and Harbor House, specifically, associated with Area Agency on Aging, 2900 Lakeview Ave, St. Joseph, MI 49085. These organizations were a big part of Mary’s life and our family will always be grateful for their kindness and support.