SACO — Marianne Holt Gillis, 95, formerly of Portland, one of the greatest souls and kindest hearts of this Country’s Greatest Generation ”“ passed away at the Gorham House on Feb. 24, 2015, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Mari-anne was born in Saco, on June 17, 1919 to Clarence and Anna Moschner Holt, and graduated from Thornton Academy in 1937. The family, including her parents, two sisters Marie and Virginia, as well as a grandfather, uncle, and sometimes an aunt ”“ all lived together in an 18-room farmhouse on Main Street in Saco, where boarders also lived. The house was connected to a barn housing a cow, which Marianne always fondly remembered, as well as a flock of hens in the basement. Marianne also half-joked that the family was proud to be one of the first to enjoy indoor plumbing in the local area ”“ after having a “two-holer” in the barn.

The whole family worked on winter harvests stored in the cold cellar, along with apples from the huge apple orchard, which gave great joy to those purchasing the most delicious apples and cider sold out front in the fall. The Saco turnpike entrance marks the area of the stately home and most of the orchard.

Marianne was an accomplished violinist, playing for many weddings and funerals in the area. She worked for 10 years as secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company on Main Street in mid-town Saco, walking both ways to work.

On Feb. 8, 1943 she married U.S. Army Pvt. Edward E. Gillis of Leominster, Massachusetts, whose unit was sent to Maine, to guard the coast. From there, he went directly to Fort Dix for training. He was sent overseas Feb. 8, 1944, landing on Omaha Beach. Severely wounded in action July 15, 1944 at St. Lo, France, he spent 2 1/2 years in hospitals. Sergeant Gillis was discharged as a paraplegic in 1946.

Marianne dedicated her life to taking care of Eddie with love and commitment for 40 years, until she could no longer. Needing more care, Eddie moved to Clover Manor in Auburn ”“ a facility built by his nephew, William Gillis. Marianne faithfully visited Eddie for 10 years both at Clover Manor and later at the oldest VA hospital in the United States, in Togus ”“ before his passing.

She loved to knit, making many sweaters for nieces and nephews; made crewel wall hangings, and sewed a variety of clothing. She and Eddie loved card games ”“ Canasta and cribbage being favorites. She was a superb contract bridge player and belonged to two bridge groups. Planting many beautiful flowers around her home gave her great pleasure. She loved having people visit her warm and welcoming home, always ready with food and drink, and she loved her neighbors, having what she called, “the best friends anyone could ever have.”

Following a life-threatening infection, Marianne moved into another facility built by her nephew ”“ this time, the Gorham House ”“ where she remained for nearly eight years. She was always ready for a bridge game and became a devoted Bingo player. There she became a close friend to many residents and staff, with much true love in her heart for all. More often than not, her room would be filled with visiting family or friends, or the facility staff. Her demeanor and love for all meant you never wanted to leave her side. She truly was an amazing and inspirational lady, and always uplifted anyone’s day and found the good in everyone and everything, despite the limitations in her own life.

Marianne Gillis was a recipient of Maine’s 10th Annual Remember ME Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed by Gov. LePage’s wife, Ann, at the State House in Augusta in April of 2012. The program, sponsored by the Maine Health Care Association, seeks to “recognize the most pioneering, innovative, and interesting residents living in Maine’s long-term health facilities” ”“ those individuals “who have served community, state, or country through volunteerism, civic organizations or the U.S. military.” Surrounded by family and friends as she received the award in the Hall of Flags, Marianne was proud to have two special guests with her, State Rep. Jane Knapp of Gorham, and her beloved great-nephew, Navy Reserve Commander Philip D. Spiller Jr. of Westbrook.

Marianne was a life member and past officer of the Eastern Star, Annette Chapter #184, Saco; life member of American Legion Auxiliary, Stewart P. Morrill Post, South Portland; member of the Women’s Literary Union; Friends of the Tate House; and Maine Charitable Mechanics Association in Portland. She was a Charter Member of the W.W.II Memorial, Washington, D.C., and a member of the Gold Star Wives of America. While she and Eddie were members of the former St. Lawrence Congregational Church in Portland, she was faithful to the Cressey Street United Methodist Church while at the Gorham House.

Marianne was preded in death by Marie H. English of Standish, and Virginia H. Cavanaugh of Delmar, New York.

Having no children, she was immensely proud and loving of her nieces, nephews, and their families. She is survived by: her nieces, Elaine Spiller and her partner Roy Newell of Standish, Anna Prentiss and her husband Bob of Voorheesville, New York, Susan Gillis Kruman and her husband Eric of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joan Gillis Hollohan and her husband Tom of Billerica, Massachusetts, and Marcia Gillis Menard of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee; nephews, William Gillis and his wife Patricia of Scarborough, and Bob Gillis and his wife Margaret of Dover, New Hampshire; grandnieces, Alicia Doherty Boaz and her husband Jeffery of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Jane Spiller Waypa and her husband Mark of Phoenix, Arizona; grandnephews, David Doherty of Delmar, New York, and Philip Spiller, Jr. and his partner Susan McCarthy of Westbrook; as well as extended family and many loving friends, including Dr. Peter and Marsha Weber of Cape Elizabeth and C. Gardner Lane of Scarborough, who was like a son to her.

The Gillis family would like to extend a sincere appreciation for the love and kindness shown Marianne at the Gorham House, and a special thanks for the exceptional care from the staff in the Gorham House Cambridge Unit and Windsor I and to Life Choice Hospice for their special aid.

Rev. Michele Ewers from the Methodist Church, will officiate at a service celebrating the life of Marianne Gillis at the Gorham House on Friday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m., followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marianne’s memory to Thornton Academy, 438 Main St., Saco, ME 04072.

Arrangements are under the guidance of Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. Condolences may be expressed online at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.