She was born in Springfield, Maine, on March 1, 1927, a daughter of Percy and Lottie Smith. She moved to Bath in 1943 and raised her four children here with such powerful love and pride. Marion was “the heart of the family” because of her giving nature and abundant love.
She was a member of Corliss St. Baptist Church for 60 years where she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and attended the Baptist Women’s Group. She volunteered for the Red Cross for many years.
Marion married the love of her life, Richard E. Gilmore on Dec. 30, 1966. They owned and operated Gilmore’s Seafood in Bath for many years, working side by side each day. They loved traveling — their favorite trip was to the Holy Land where Richard was baptized in the River Jordan. She and Richard were Bluegrass and country music fans and toured the country following many favorite entertainers. Marion and Richard also shared a passion for boating along the Maine seacoast and relaxing at the cottage in Sebasco.
Marion was renowned for her knitting projects and crocheted bedspreads which she made for her children and grandchildren. Marion was happiest when surrounded by her family, husband and friends. Her eyes sparkled and her heart was warmed by the daily visits of her granddaughters, Lisa Bennett and Bethany Darling. The room was filled with laughter, pure love and joy. She touched the hearts of all who knew and loved her with her profound faith in God, her giving and helping nature, sense of humor and unconditional love for her family and friends. Yes, she leaves a tremendous legacy of love and will be greatly missed by her husband and family.
She was predeceased by her sons, Robert (Bobby) Coombs and Francis (Buddy) Coombs.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Richard E Gilmore; sisters, Flora, Shirley, Betty, Barbara and Christine; two brothers, Percy and Wallace; two daughters, Christine (Tina) Coombs of Bath and Eleanor (Ellie) Rommel and her husband Chuck of West Bath; stepdaughter Suzi Gilmore Ater and her husband John; stepson Ben Gilmore and wife Bette; and stepson Kevin Gilmore. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
We thank and so appreciate hospice (CHANS) for the excellent and loving care given to Marion for the last 14 months. Also, sincere and heartfelt thanks to her CNA care providers who so gently and professionally cared for her around the clock. They all sincerely loved her; she was not just a patient to them, she was family. To know her was to love her. She enjoyed and loved all her caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Bath Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 65, Bath, ME 04530 or to the Salvation Army, 25 Congress Ave., Bath, ME 04530. Marion would be very happy knowing that the many area families who are in need at this time of year are being helped.
A celebration of her life will be held at Corliss St. Baptist Church in Bath at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, followed by a gathering at the Church Annex.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
