Mary Ann Gleason

Maryann Gleason, 95, of Bradenton, Florida passed away in her home on Saturday, October 22, 2022 with her beloved partner Dick Morley by her side.

Maryann was born on September 1, 1927, the sixth of seven children born to Leo and Helen (Weber) Culbert. Her roots began in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where she grew up in a strong Irish Catholic family. Maryann’s Irish Catholic upbringing would remain with her her entire life, forging incredible bonds with her siblings, molding her life values and work ethic and forming the faith she used to sustain her through all of life’s experiences. Growing up during the depression and the second world war gave Maryann a deep appreciation for all that life gave her. She was grateful for every day lived and approached life with a sense of adventure and a joyful spirit. She did not waste time on life’s regrets or upended plans. She accepted what life handed her and moved to make the best of every situation. She relied heavily on her faith in times of difficulty and trusted in what was to be. Everyone who knew Maryann could not help but see her zest for life. She never wasted a single day of living fully.

Maryann led an active, adventurous life. She had a passion for gardening, loved to travel, played golf, read books, walked often and never passed up an opportunity to play cribbage. She was always seen on the dance floor and above all, loved to laugh. Age was never a hinderance for Maryann. She celebrated each year with equal gusto.

Maryann had a great love for her Country and was thankful for all who gave their lives for freedom. She spoke often of her pride for the family members and friends who sacrificed and served in the United States military.

At a young age, Maryann met and married Jack Shand, and they relocated to the Proctor, Vermont area where Jack was from. Maryann would grow to love Vermont and all of its natural beauty. Following Jack’s death, Maryann met and married Jim Gleason, also from the same area of Vermont. Jim and Maryann returned to Eau Claire, Wisconsin before shifting life to sunny Florida. After Jim passed away, Maryann met Dick with whom she shared a loving relationship for sixteen years.

Above all else in life, Maryann held her family dear to her heart. She shared a very special lifelong relationship with all of her siblings, a bond that held through all of the trials and tribulations of life. The sense of family was embedded in Maryann’s upbringing, and it was that bond that brought members of the Culbert family back yearly for annual picnics in and around the lakes of Wisconsin. Although Maryann had no children of her own, she embraced all of her nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews into her life. Each was special in her heart, and she followed the lives of all with the greatest of joy. Family was everything to Maryann.

Throughout all of the relationships in Maryann’s life, all who were touched by her light would agree that she was mighty of heart, generous of spirit, genuine in living, and lovingly loyal to all whom she cared for. She will be missed and remembered by so many.

From all whom you loved and all who were blessed by your presence, we send you home with this humble Irish blessing:

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

A Memorial Service will be held in Maryann’s honor on December 2, 2022 at 9:30 am at Saints Peter and Paul The Apostles Catholic Church, 2850 75th Street W

Brandenton, FL

Luncheon will follow.

Maryann will be laid to rest this Spring in Vermont.