WEST WINFIELD – Mrs. Marion B. (Bryant) Gillette, age 74, a longtime resident of West Winfield, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center, surrounded by the love and support of her family at her bedside. Born on December 3, 1941, Marion was the daughter of the late Frank and Alice (Long) Bryant. She was raised and educated in Cooperstown and attended local schools. She began her working career as an LPN as well as waitressing at local restaurants, such as the Big Pine and Brookside Tavern. On September 28, 1968, Marion was wed to Mr. George Gillette in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the two shared a marriage spanning almost fifty years. As a couple, Marion and George were best friends, and could rarely, if ever be found apart from one another. They did everything together and especially loved to travel. For many years, Marion was employed as a Medical Insurance Examiner with the New York Central Mutual Insurance Company; a career that spanned almost eighteen years, until Marion’s retirement in 2003. Marion was simply the best. Her kind-hearted nature and loving ways became the glue that held her family together. A woman of small stature, but powerful presence, she could be sarcastic and fiery, as well as caring and compassionate. She was an excellent cook and in her spare time enjoyed gardening, crocheting and travelling. She was a longtime member of the VFW Post 2338 Ladies’ Auxiliary in West Winfield. Survivors include her husband of forty-seven years, George; her daughter, Tressa Decker of Cooperstown; her son and daughter-in-law, James and Amy Gillette of West Winfield; her granddaughter, Jessica and Patrick Baker of Cooperstown; and her great-granddaughter, Caitlin Baker. She also leaves her sister, Arlene Caputo of Throop, PA; her in-laws, Ronald and Carol Gillette, Dave and Judy Gillette, Joan Paddock, Pamela and Douglas Broat and Cindy and Carl Markowitcz; and numerous nieces and nephews. Marion was predeceased by her sisters, Grace Tice, Irene Yerry and Phyllis Christman; her brothers, Robert Bryant and Harold Bryant; and her brother-in-law, Brian Gillette. Marion’s family would like to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to the staff of the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center for the care and compassion shown to them. In keeping with Marion’s wishes, her family will gather to honor her life privately. She will be laid to rest in West Schuyler Cemetery. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions in Marion’s memory to the VFW Post 2338 Ladies’ Auxiliary, 752 US Highway 20, West Winfield, NY 13491 OR to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Marion, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.enea family.com on the Internet. The Gillette family has entrusted all service arrangements to Martin L. Ciaccia, and Harry and Kevin Enea, Funeral Directors of the Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion (Town of Frankfort, NY).