Mary Ruth Gillette

---- Mary Ruth Gillette, Quilter B: November 26, 1949, Erie PA D: November 16, 2024, Louisville, KY Mary Ruth (Fullerton) Gillette, from Mesa AZ went to be with her Lord on Saturday, November 16, 2024. She passed away due to complications from Alzheimers/demensia, but peacefully, and with her family in their home in Louisville, KY. Mary was born in Erie, PA and moved to Arizona at a young age. She lived between in the San Jose, CA area and Phoenix and Mesa, AZ most of her life. Mary was preceded in death by the love of her life, Richard ‘Rick’ Gillette, who passed away in 2023 after a brief illness, and her mother, Mary Gray (Beaty) Ingle of Wilhoit, AZ in 2022. Rick and Mary were married for almost 50 years, but they both felt it was forever and yet not nearly long enough. After Rick’s passing in 2023, Mary moved to Louisville to enjoy more time with her family. Mary is survived by her loving daughter, Terra Christine Major (Kevin), and her grandchildren Cassidy Major (Peighton Cornelli), and Ciara Major; her sister Susan Dobson of Wilhoit, AZ; aunt Lou Ghering of Skull Valley, AZ; sister-in-law, Deborah Sweren (Roger) of Berthoud, CO; brother-in-law, Brian Gillette (Gigi) of Dallas, GA; brother-in-law, Roger Stewart (Juleeann) of Fernandina Beach, FL; as well as her step-sons Richard (Rich Ornelas) Nelson Gillette Jr, Thomas Stanley Ornelas (Tammy) and step-grandchildren Justin Ornelas and Mehgan Ornelas, Raiden Ornelas and Samerah Ornelas (Phoenix, AZ). And don’t forget her tuzedo cat, Lickey. In her youth, Mary was always very creative with drawing, painting and sewing. As a homemaker, she made some clothes and worked on church projects but over the last 25 years, Mary put all of her creative effort and time into quilting. She was an active member of the Arizona Quilters Guild ‘Rippers’ club, meeting nearly every week to share their passion for quilting, donate their time making quilts for various organizations, helping others learn to quilt, and creating masterpieces of her own as gifts for family and friends. Over the years, Mary is estimated to have designed and created nearly 50 quilts of various sizes, themes and textures. Her love of the art of fabrics, sewing, cutting, coloring, assembling and hand-making these works of art kept her busy while Rick worked on his music. Mary worked for many years in Silicon Valley as a purchasing agent at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and a homemaker. She retired before they moved again to Mesa, AZ in 2005. She and Rick were Christians and loved sharing their love of Jesus. Together, they enjoyed exploring new churches wherever they lived and worshiping. Rick, a talented musician, often played in the music ministry while Mary joined church groups to help the needy, and they participated in bible study and prayer groups. Per her wishes, there will be no memorial, however donations can be made in her name to either Northeast Christian Church in Louisville (https://necchurch.churchcenter.com/giving ) or Hosparus Health, Inc. (https://hosparushealth.org/donate/ ) to help them continue their valuable work. Ratterman Springhurst, 10210 Westport Rd. has been in charge of arrangements.

Mary Ruth Gillette

November 26, 1949 - November 16, 2024