Marietta "Retta" Gilman

Marietta “Retta” Gilman passed away peacefully on April 27, 2019 in Chapel Hill.  Retta was born in Rochester, NY to the late Jacob Henry Kraus and Mary Whitman Kraus.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Allan Albert Gilman.  Retta is survived by her brother James Kraus of St. Paul, Minnesota and her four sons and their spouses – Thomas A. Gilman (Nancy L. Gilman), Robert B. Gilman (Mary B. Gilman), Stephen J. Gilman (Robert A. Mack) and Douglas J. Gilman (Kimberly U. Gilman).  She had 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; all of whom were the light of her life.

Retta and husband Al retired to Sanford in 1985 where they were active members of the Carolina Trace community.  Prior to Al’s death the couple moved to the Carolina Meadows retirement community in Chapel Hill where Retta was an avid swimmer, walker, reader and gift shop volunteer.  She never met anyone who she didn’t stop and speak to – many of whom became great friends.  Retta had an everlasting and strong faith, something she practiced in everyday life.  For the past 35 years she was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sanford.  Per her wishes, there will be a family service in her memory, Saturday August 3, 2019 at 11:00am in the courtyard at St. Thomas.

Anyone wishing to remember Retta can send donations to the Carolina Meadows Resident Gift and Memorial Fund in Chapel Hill or to St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sanford.