Obituary of Maribeth Jean Gilliland

GILLILAND, Maribeth Jean

April 26, 1943 – Edmonton, Alberta

September 28, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Maribeth Jean Gilliland of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 surrounded by her family at the age of 78 years.

Maribeth was born in Edmonton, AB on April 26, 1943 and lived much of her adult life in that City.  She grew up in the Garneau-Windsor Park area and attended the University of Alberta where she achieved a BA in social work. Upon graduation, she worked as a social worker before turning her attention to raising her family. In later years, she worked in fashion at Ralph Lauren. Maribeth lived a life of quiet passions, especially learning.  She constantly had at least two books on the go with a stack next to her and was on first name basis with the people at her local bookstore.  She listened to CBC radio, adored National Geographic magazine, and any documentary on archeology, anthropology, history and a myriad of other topics.  She shared that love with her children and grandchildren, who were all gifted magazine subscriptions and trips to book stores and whose interest in anything was met with reading material on that topic. 

She loved the mountains. Her first job was working for Brewster’s bus lines at Lake Louise as a teenager.  As her children grew older, she followed in her father’s footsteps and developed a passion for hiking and her children have many wonderful shared memories of her lying to them blatantly that the hike would be over in the next kilometer.  It never was. Maribeth was the best-dressed person in the room, in any room.  She took great pride in her appearance and her home; she adored fashion.  One of her favorite thing to do as a grandmother was to take her grandkids shopping for back to school outfits. She loathed cooking except for chocolate chip cookies and Christmas pudding which none of her kids have ever been able to replicate. 

Maribeth led her life with kindness and was a friend to so many.  She was the type of person who inspired you to be better, who was the first to call if something was wrong and who always had a kind word or lent a helping hand.  She saw the best in everyone except herself and she had a truly wicked sense of humor. She loved teasing her children and played pranks on them right to her final hours. 

Maribeth married Fraser Goddard in 1963 and after their divorce, she remained close with the extended Goddard family. In 1987 Maribeth met the love of her life, Andrew Gilliland on a blind date on Valentines Day.  They had thirty three years together with some of their best times spent together in the Rockies hiking, often at Lake O’Hara, Lake Louise and Sentinel Pass. Andy and Maribeth’s marriage brought together her three children and his two sons and the combined family, especially their 12 grandchildren, brought them both so much joy.

Andy passed in February of 2020 at which point Maribeth’s Multiple Sclerosis began to take a greater toll on her health.  She passed away with the gift of being able to say goodbye to her family and with her three children at her side letting her know how very loved she was and how grateful the entire family was for her as our matriarch.

Maribeth is survived by her daughters, Sue (Scott) and Patricia (Darrin); her sons James (Kirsten), Bill (Lavina) and Jim (Susan); twelve grandchildren and brother, Brian.

Besides Andy, she was predeceased by her former husband, Fraser Goddard and her parents, Ron and Norah Horner. 

At Maribeth’s very specific request there will be no celebration of life and her family will gather together in the Rockies next summer on a hike to commemorate both Maribeth and Andy and their love for each other and the outdoors.

If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Salvation Army, 1731 29st SW Calgary, AB, T3C 1M6 online at www.salvationarmy.ca or by phone at 4034101112 I in celebration of her great love Andy and the Salvation Army which  he supported and volunteered with his entire life and who sheltered him in hospice in his final days.

The family would especially like to thank her nurses Kari-Jean, Ashley and Darlene who gave her so much care and comfort in her last months. 

In living memory of Maribeth Gilliland, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.