Vera Mable Gilligan

Vera Mable Gilligan, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, in Maumee, Ohio. She was born on February 28, 1933, to William and Mabel (Winsper) Richards in Weatherfield Township, Ohio. The youngest of six children, Vera grew up on the farm. From a young age, she loved music, playing the piano, and singing. On May 25, 1968, she married the love of her life, Robert Gilligan. They were happily married for almost 28 years until his passing in 1996.

In her early career, Vera worked in Warren, Ohio at Thombs Motors and Frayser Construction. In 1971 she went to work in various accounting roles for General Motors in Lordstown, Ohio. Following her retirement, she was the bookkeeper for A New Beginning Christian Bookstore in Warren.

A 1951 Graduate of Mineral Ridge High School, Vera lived in Mineral Ridge and Lordstown, Ohio until 1972, when she and Bob moved to Southington. For 37 years she lived in the very special home that she and Bob built there. Vera moved to Maumee, Ohio in 2009 to be close to her family. Even though she was 76 when she moved, she quickly learned the new area, made many friends, and never let a good estate sale go to waste.

Vera’s faith was the motivating force in her life. She attended First Assembly of God in Warren, Ohio for 66 years. She served in many, many leadership roles in children’s ministry, choir, women’s ministry, Sunday school, and the local Christian school. In her 20’s Vera organized and led a singing group called The Melody Six. They sang together at many events and churches. It was one of the highlights of her life. In 1966 she traveled internationally singing in churches in 12 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. When Vera moved to Maumee in 2009, she became an active member at Calvary Church, serving faithfully in the senior adults, hospitality, and Life Group ministries.

It was Vera’s hope in life to live according to the words of Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” Many words have been used to describe her: wise, classy, funny, faithful, beautiful, loving. The words of Proverbs 31, however, may summarize her life the best. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Vera is preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert E. Gilligan; parents, William and Mabel Richards; siblings, John, Eleanor, David, Evan, and Ruth; and many other family members.

Vera will be lovingly remembered as a mother to Chad (Rhonda) Gilligan; grandmother to Clayton (Arianna) Gilligan, Carissa (Daniel) Miller, and Evan Gilligan; and great-grandmother to Louis Daniel Miller. She will be lovingly treasured as a step-mother to Terry (Lisa) Gilligan, Tim (Alicia) Gilligan, and Cindy (Greg) Hanks and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service in celebration of Vera’s life on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10am at Calvary Church, 1360 Conant Street, Maumee, Ohio. There will be a graveside burial service on Wednesday, November 23, at 1pm at Reformed Cemetery in Southington, Ohio. Donations in her honor may be made to Calvary Church. Special thanks to the team at Elizabeth Scott Community for their loving care the last months of Vera’s life.