Marie Gilbreath

Marie Gilbreath, 96, beloved sister and aunt passed away on July 27, 2018.  Marie was born in Grandfield, OK on January 1, 1922 to William Penn Gilbreath and Minnie Lucile Davis-Gilbreath.  She went to school in Dora, NM and attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Being a strong and independent woman, she traveled and worked throughout the United States until meeting and marrying Kenneth W. Sills in 1954.  They resided in Long Beach, CA, Phoenix, AZ, and Santa Fe, NM until their divorce. Marie’s love for the West Coast led her to settle in Burlingame, CA.  There she worked for 17 years as a Secretary for the Department of Transportation for the City.  She was fortunate to live in and manage a prestigious apartment complex in the San Francisco area where she loved to entertain her many friends.  Retiring at the age of 70, Marie moved to Albuquerque, NM to be closer to her sister June and family.  Marie loved her quaint home and enjoyed sitting in the back yard with her beautiful view of the Sandia Mountains.  Marie enjoyed gardening and was always after that perfect tomato plant.  She was a wonderful cook and during the holidays her pecan pie was always a favorite.  Marie was hardworking, honest and loyal person and she expected those around her to be the same.  She had a soft spot for animals and it showed as she loved her cats tremendously.  She enjoyed making a difference and her generous donations to the Humane Society helped to do just that.  Marie was a faithful member of the New Mexico Federation of Republican Women’s organization and worked the polls in to her nineties.  Marie was proud of her country and had a great admiration for the men and women in the service.  She showed her appreciation by donating to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

Services will be held Monday, July 30, 2018, 3:00 p.m., at FRENCH - Wyoming.

Marie was a volunteer at the Cancer Foundation of New Mexico and the family requests all donations be made to that organization.