Obituary of Mary Lou Gilman

Mary Lou DeNyse Gilman, 73, Ocala, passed away at her home on March 29, 2009. A native of New Jersey, Mary Lou DeNyse moved to Plant City, Florida in 1952. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Hall in Burlington, NJ, and the University of Florida in 1956 where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Mary Lou was a Gator Cheerleader, Sigma Chi sweetheart and 1955 Miss University of Florida. She was the first Public Relations employee of the UF College of Medicine. Married to Dr. Steve Gilman in 1957, they then settled in Ocala in1965. She was a founding partner and communications director, Lifetime Fitness, Inc., a Corporate Support Associate, WUFT-TV-FM, Univ. of FL. Previous community activities: League of Women Voters (President) and VOTER Editor; United Ways of Florida (President); Florida Public Relations Assn. of Marion County (President); Editor of Marion Democrat; Democratic Club of Greater Ocala; Democratic Executive Committee, Live Oak Show Committee, Medical Society Alliance of Marion County (President and Lifetime Member); "Friendship Club"; Florida Morgan Horse Association; Grace Church Vestry; Board of Grace Church Day School. Her community activities included: Public Policy Institute Exec. Comm.; Voices for Children Board; Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee; Florida Whips; Awards consisted of 1983 Family of the Year (Ocala Jr. Woman's Club), 1991 Bonnie Heath Award of Excellence (United Way of Marion County) and 1996 Eta Pi Lamda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Leadership and Achievement Award. Survivors include her husband, Steve H. Gilman, M.D. Ocala; children, Steve H. Gilman (Hope), Ocala, FL; Lindy Gilman Fowler, (Bruce) Nashville, TN; Danny D. Gilman, (Jennifer) Ocala, FL; Christie G. Kay, (Jack) Ocala, FL; Maria D. Gilman, Land O'Lakes, FL. and sister Diane Lorincz, (Andrew) High Springs, FL, and eleven adored grandchildren. A resurrection service will be held Monday, April 6 at 1:00 PM at Grace Episcopal Church, 503 Southeast Broadway, Ocala, 622-7881. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in her memory to Marion County United Way: PO Box 1086, Ocala, Florida 34478. Arrangements are being handled by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Ocala, FL.