A long-time teacher never forgot her students – even when they were from different generations and locations in Alberta. Don Gilbert, who opened the Okotoks AG (now Sobeys) in the 1970s, had Mary Gillard as a teacher while growing up in Coronation. “Grade 6 – I wasn’t paying too much attention back then,” Gilbert said with a chuckle. “But when I first came to Okotoks, she made a point of saying she had taught me in Coronation.” Gilbert was one of about 500 hundred people paying their respects at a celebration of Gillard’s life on Friday at the Foothills Centennial Centre. She died on her 95th birthday on Aug. 25. Gillard touched many students, parents and friends in her 65-year teaching career. She became a substitute teacher shortly after moving to Okotoks in the early 1960s. She didn’t stop until 2008 at the age of 82. The library at the Foothills Composite High School was renamed the Mary Gillard Learning Commons in 2013. David Gilbert, Don’s son, also had Gillard as a teacher – a generation later and at that time, in Okotoks. “Mrs. Gillard was very friendly, very understanding,” said David, who is now in his 40s. “The word ‘respect’ was used a number of times today. I only had her a handful of times as a substitute teacher. “You would think in high school, you’d be able to get away with some things, especially at her age. “But you didn’t even try anything, because of her presence… I can’t put my finger on why. I think she had everyone (the students) in her corner. If you weren’t in her corner you were by yourself.” As an adult, Dave was in Gillard’s corner. “I didn’t realize she touched as many lives as she did,” he said. Her impact on students and parents was evident during former Foothills Comp vice-principal Joyce Loucks’ tribute. Loucks was mentored by Gillard and they became close friends. She asked the hundreds in attendance who had been taught, had children or grandchildren who had been taught by her or had been a teacher with her to stand. More than half did so. When Loucks asked if when Mary met them, she knew their names to raise their hand, hands went up quicker than a classroom full of Grade 2 students being asked to be a special volunteer. During Gillard’s teaching stint at Throne School she met Hugh Gillard and they married in 1944. They met at an old-fashioned tradition – the box social. Hugh bought Mary’s lunch box and they would go on to have four children. While she was a teacher and friend to many she was GG – great-grandma -- to Josh, Meagan and Paige Quigley who gave humourous and touching tributes at the celebration. Meagan got to see GG in the classroom as well, when Gillard was a substitute teacher in her Grade 1 classroom. “The day I entered my Grade 1 classroom only to see my great-grandmother sitting behind my regular teacher’s desk I felt nothing short of pride,” Meagan said. “By the end of the day, every student in that classroom respected Mrs. Gillard and the pride I had for my GG was beyond compare.” Meagan, who attends McGill, received the Mary Gillard Scholarship at the Foothills Composite Awards ceremony in 2017. Gillard was also an avid athlete – a long-time curler and golfer, getting an ace at the age of 72 at D’Arcy Ranch Golf Course. She loved nature and taking hikes including at one of her favourite locations, Blue Rock, west of Turner Valley. “At 91 she was still swinging golf clubs like a pro,” Paige said. “The majority of people never have the chance to meet their great grandma, let alone have her accompany them on hikes every other weekend. “If there is one thing hiking with GG taught me, it’s you will never feel as out of shape in your life as when your 90-year-old great-grandmother effortlessly darts pass you while you are struggling to catch your breath.” She was also a lover of horses – raising harness race horses with Hugh. She was renowned for her expertise for laying a bet now and then. Mary served on the Stampede racing committee for many years. Gillard was also a long-time Conservative. She assisted in campaigns in the Okotoks area from Highwood MLA Harry Alger to current Foothills MP John Barlow. She received letters of congratulations from Barlow and Highwood MLA Wayne Anderson for her 95th birthday. She received one letter from a Liberal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Gillard is survived by her four children, Irving, Stuart, and Hugh Gillard and daughter Jean Quigley. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. And she knew all their names. “GG would remember that I played hockey, what my age was, and unlike the rest of my family she could remember my name,” 13-year Josh told the appreciative crowd. “I will always remember the years I got to spend with the world’s greatest teacher, cook, inspiration and so much more. “Our GG.”
