Mary R. Gilliatt

MARY R. GILLIATT - 86, peacefully on November 28 in Greenwich Hospital, attended by family and friends, after a brief final illness.

During and after a vibrant career as a company wife and mother, Mary, a natural-born party girl, was known as a consummate organizer and hostess. She was widely sought-after to oversee charitable and eleemosynary fund raising events and served on several boards of directors. Mary remained active in that regard to the very end as, inter alia, Chairman of the Patron Committee of Friends of (channel) Thirteen, Founder and Member of the Fairfield County Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, and Board Member of Norwalk Community College.

Other credits include: Board of Directors, Chicago Foundlings Home; Deaconess, Second Congregational Church; Chairman, New York Philharmonic Luncheon 1986 and Opening Night 1988; Chairman, House Corporation, Yale University Chapter, Kappa Alpha Theta; Chairman, Institutes of Religion and Health Christmas Benefit 1989-93; and Chairman, Historical Society of Greenwich Luncheon 1994. Mary was born and raised in LaPorte, Indiana, daughter of Helen and Ben Rees, an attorney. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University, married Neal Gilliatt in 1943, and lived most of her life in Greenwich. She is survived by her son, David, and granddaughters Victoria and Olivia.. Mary touched a great many lives with her spirit, drive and generosity, and she will be sorely missed. She asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Mary Rees Gilliatt Scholarship Fund c/o Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, 8740 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268-1300 (317 876-1870). Services will be held at Second Congregational Church in Greenwich on December 8 at 12:00 noon, followed by a reception at the Greenwich Country Club.