Lillie Frances Gleason

Lillie Frances Gleason, age 13, of Richland, MI and a 7th grade student at Gull Lake Middle School, died unexpectedly Friday afternoon, April 5, 2013.

Lillie Frances, the daughter of Andrea Mary Large and George Brian Gleason, was born on August 22, 1999 in Kalamazoo, MI. She loved Gull Lake Middle School, playing the French horn for the Gull Lake 7th grade band, and her volleyball team. She was looking forward to beginning tennis in the first ever boy/girl tennis team for Gull Lake Middle School. Her passions in life were nature, photography, dancing, singing, playing the piano and she loved all people.

Surviving is her mother, Andrea Large of Richland; her father, George Gleason of Anvik, Alaska; her brother, Finley McNeil "Neil" Gleason of Richland; her sister, Nora Rosemary Gleason of Richland and her maternal grandmother, Mary Barnet Large of Kalamazoo. Numerous dear Aunts, Uncles and many, very special Cousins. Lillie Frances was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Francis Large, Uncle Colman Francis Large and her grandparents, Finley "Neil" and Bobbie (Ferris) Gleason.

Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Lillie Frances' life will be held on Friday, April 12th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 12648 East D Avenue, Augusta (Gull Lake), with Father Christopher J. Derda, Pastor and Father Mathew Manalel, ConCelebrants, and Deacon Michael A. Carl, Assisting. A time of fellowship and a luncheon to continue Lillie's life celebration will immediately follow the Mass in the Church's Social Hall. Private, family burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kalamazoo, MI.

Friends will be received on Thursday, April 11th from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. with a School Community Prayer Service at 1:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the Parish Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lillie's honor may be directed to the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation, 11775 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083 or Oxfam America, 226 Causeway Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02114-2206.


On this day, O beautiful Mother,
On this day we give thee our Lillie.
Near thee, Madonna, fondly we hover,
Trusting thy gentle care to prove.

Queen of angels, deign to hear
Lisping children's humble prayer;
Young hearts gain, O virgin pure,
Sweetly to thyself allure.

Rose of Sharon, Lovely flow'r,
Beauteous bud of eden's bow'r;
Cherished lily of the vale,
Virgin Mother' Queen we hail.