Marie (Miller) Gleason

Marie Miller Gleason died peacefully in Wellsboro, PA on July 30, 2018. She was born in Belfast, NY on June 25, 1921, the first child of Harrison and Pearl Kelly Miller. On March 6, 1953 she married Edward B. Gleason. She was preceded in death by her husband, her sister, Myra Miller Galvin and her brothers, Harrison and Harold. She is survived by her brother, Howard and wife Delores of Belfast, NY; daughter, Vicki Gleason Fox and husband David of Wellsboro, PA; son, David Scholes and wife Linda of Austin, TX; granddaughter, Gretchen Giardina and husband Carmen of Macomb, MI; grandson, Jon Scholes and wife Erin Moore of Seattle, WA; four great grandchildren, Carmen and Gabriella Giardina and Avery and Parker Scholes; special niece, Ann Galvin of Belfast, NY.  

Marie grew up on the family dairy farm on White Creek Road in Belfast and after her father’s early death attended to farm chores before and after attending school each day. Nevertheless, she was valedictorian of her Belfast Central School class of 1938. She became a strong advocate for higher education for her children and those of others.

She was a lifelong Republican and served as a member of the Allegany County Republican Committee for many years. She was possibly the county’s champion at installing campaign signs and passing out pins.

Although her children became dog lovers, Marie’s favorite animal by far was the cow, specifically the Holstein. Her home was decorated with all sorts of cow themed paraphernalia, and on attending the Allegany County or Erie County Fair she skipped the midway and went directly to the cattle barns to pet the calves.  

A gathering to remember Marie’s life will be held in Belfast at a time to be determined. Memorials may be made to the Marie Miller Gleason Scholarship Fund at the Allegany County Area Foundation. A special thanks to the staff of the Green Home in Wellsboro, whose care made her final years as comfortable as possible. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, Ltd., Wellsboro.   

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marie (Miller) Gleason, please visit our floral store.