Edith Gillen

Edith Gillen went to her heavenly reward on Monday, June 11, 2018. Edith Maxine McClellan Gillen was born in Cunningham, Kansas on the 23rd of November, 1923 to Amy Mae Cady McClellan and Frank Tindle McClellan. She was the fourth child and only girl. She was born on a farm with no indoor facilities and attended school in a one room school house for part of her education. During high school, Edith was a cheerleader and active in the drama club. After high school she earned a scholarship to Sterling Presbyterian College where she pursued a degree in education. Due to the outbreak of World War II, her college career was put on hold when she returned home to help her family; shortly thereafter, she married her college beau, Marion Timothy Gillen, Jr., on June 20, 1942, in her parents’ living room. Edith was a strong, independent woman who spent much of the first years of her married life away from her husband while he fought in WWII and later in the Korean conflict. Like many couples of that time, the Gillens began their family after the war with the birth of their first child, Linda Sue. During this time, Tim worked for the railroad, and the couple lived in Pueblo, Colorado. While in Pueblo the Gillens welcomed their second child, David Timothy. Not long after David’s birth, Tim reenlisted and once again Edith was on her own this time with two young children. After the Korean conflict Tim continued to serve in the Army, and the family moved to Williamsburg, Virginia. Eventually Tim was sent to Germany, but Edith did not immediately follow as she was “unexpectedly” expecting their third child Edith Jane. During her confinement, Edith once again lived near her parents in Cunningham until the school year ended and baby Edye was a few months older. At that point, Edith loaded up her three children in the family station wagon and headed to New York City and via ship, to Germany where the family lived for three years. When they returned to the states, they returned to Williamsburg for a time before being transferred to St. Louis, Missouri, and after a few more years to Dallas, Texas. Edith accomplished each of these moves with calm and grace minimizing the upheaval for her family. Edith enjoyed gardening, volunteering at the Irving Hospital, and attending First Presbyterian Church, Irving. She was an avid reader and traveler. After the death of her college sweetheart and husband of 42 years, Edith moved to Wimberley, Texas where she lived until 2016 when she moved to Fairfield, Texas to live with her youngest child and son-in-law. Mrs. Gillen was preceded in death by her parents Frank T. and Amy (Cady) McClellan, her three older brothers and their wives: Finley C. and Mary McClellan, George R. and Gwen McClellan, and H. Lloyd and Maureen McClellan, and her husband, Tim Gillen, as well as several of his siblings and their spouses. She is survived by one brother-in-law, James P. Gillen and wife Martha; her children: Linda S. Gillen, Dave T. Gillen and wife Kathy, and Edith J. Gillen-Hall and husband Rodney; grandchildren Timothy J. Gillen-Hall and wife Amanda L., Benjamin J. Gillen-Hall and wife Amanda J., Sherri M. LaDuke and husband Bruce, and D. Paul Reyburn; great-grandchildren Anna K. Gillen-Hall, Everett J. Gillen-Hall, Leah F. Gillen-Hall, and Cady J. Gillen-Hall as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews, and friends. Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am Friday, June 15, 2018 at Maud Cemetery in Cunningham, Kansas with Dr. Richard Heyduck and Rev. Abby Lynn Caseman officiating.

Edith Gillen

November 23, 1923 - June 11, 2018