Mary Louise Miner Gilman, of Macungie, PA passed away peacefully in her home at 11:24am Monday, July 5 ^th , 2021.  She was 81 years young.  Mary was a nonjudgmental woman, full of extraordinary creativity and unmatched thoughtfulness.  Mary's profound kindness, generosity and sense of humor will be missed by all those who knew her.

Mary was born in Detroit, Michigan at Grace Hospital at 9:50pm on March 15, 1940.  Mary's parents Janette Helene Miner and Merrill Gregory Miner raised her in Battle Creek, Michigan where she attended Lakeview High School and Michigan State University.  Mary's parents gave her a love of music through her father's teachings of the drums, and through piano which her mother played by ear.  Mary would often sing alongside her father while her mother played the piano entertaining others.  She was active in the Arts, a chorus line dancer, a writer for the Battle Creek Enquirer, a member of the Junior League, and a timekeeper for the Gull Lake Yacht Club.   She loved being a sailboat racer, water skier, and swimmer on Gull Lake.

Professionally, Mary was a model, and a staff writer for Charles Preston Ltd., Advertising Merchandiser for Connecticut and New York and helped to write and announce for runway shows.  She was also a landlord, boutique store sales and design manager, estate sales coordinator, and passionate antique dealer.  She was active in the Congregational Church and chairperson of collectables at the Yankee Fair.  Mary's love for collecting and selling antiques introduced her to lifelong friends.   Mary could transform spaces into magical places, both in work and in life for special occasions and holidays.

From 1969 to 2003 Mary resided in Wilton, Connecticut where she raised her three children Mark, Cindy, and Jessica.  Mary taught her kids to connect in a real meaningful way with people you meet, to be kind always, and to laugh a lot when you are with family and friends.  In 2003, Mary moved to Macungie, PA to be closer to family.  Her most treasured role was as a mother and grandmother.

Mary was the widow of Peter A. Gilman.  She is survived by her former husband Peter A. Schweitzer, her son Mark Schweitzer and his wife Ann of Annapolis, MD.  Daughter Cindy Fitzmaurice and her husband Tom of Emmaus, PA and daughter Jessica Gilman Gustaitis and husband Jeff of Frederick, MD.  Mary also had four beloved grandchildren Megan, Matthew, Jack, and Joy, who filled her with such great happiness, laughs and love.

A Memorial service will be held at Battle Creek Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI on Saturday, September 11 ^th , 2021, at 10:30am where she will be buried alongside her parents and grandfather. There will be a private celebration of Mary's life held in Michigan at Gull Lake.