Honoring Her Parents Through Giving: Marilee Bowers’ 29-Year Commitment to Gilchrist

For nearly three decades, Marilee Bowers has faithfully supported Gilchrist. Her dedication is rooted in a deeply personal story—one that began with the care her parents received more than 30 years ago.

A Personal Connection to Gilchrist

Marilee’s connection to Gilchrist began when her mother, Annetta Thomas, was admitted to Gilchrist Center Towson after complications from long-term lung damage caused by tuberculosis. Though her stay was brief, less than 24 hours, Marilee remembers how warmly she was treated. “The staff gave me a full tour of the center,” Marilee recalls. “It felt like I was in a home, not a hospice. They showed me the kitchen where families could cook meals together and explained how loved ones could gather in a comfortable space. Even though my mother never regained consciousness, the way they cared for me made such a difference.”

Just two months later, her father, William “Bill” Thomas, passed away at home with the support of Gilchrist’s hospice team. “They came right to the house and took care of everything,” Marilee says. “My dad was struggling to breathe, and they gave him the medications he needed to be comfortable. They guided me step by step, telling me what to say and do. It gave me peace knowing I wasn’t alone.”

Marilee’s story is a reminder that Gilchrist walks beside families in so many different settings—whether in our care centers, in the comfort of their own homes, or in senior living communities. No matter where patients spend their final moments, Gilchrist meets them with compassion, dignity, and a sense of home.

Care That Continued Beyond Loss

What stood out most to Marilee was that Gilchrist’s care didn’t end with her parents’ passing. “For a whole year, I received sympathy cards every month,” she says. “I was invited to grief groups and workshops, and I even created a memory book of my parents’ lives through one of Gilchrist’s programs. That was such a healing process for me.” The experience left an imprint that has lasted a lifetime. “Gilchrist took me under their wing. It wasn’t just about caring for my parents—they cared for me, too.”

A Legacy of Giving

To honor that impact, Marilee began donating to Gilchrist soon after her parents’ deaths. Twenty-nine years later, she continues to give in their memory. “My parents were generous people—they gave to the church and to causes they believed in. I know they would be proud that I give back to Gilchrist,” she says. “I hope my contributions help families who need it. Everyone deserves the same comfort I received.”

Family, Faith, and Gratitude

Today, Marilee lives in Timonium with her husband. Her parents’ legacy lives on through her daughters and granddaughters, whose lives are a constant reminder of the family bonds that sustained her through loss. “My parents were religious and charitable, and I know they would be proud of my support for Gilchrist,” Marilee reflects. “I always make donations in their names because it feels like a meaningful way to keep their memory alive.”

For Marilee, giving back is about extending the same comfort she once received. “I just hope it’s helped other families the way Gilchrist helped me,” she says. “Losing both of my parents so close together was the hardest time in my life. But Gilchrist walked with me through it. I’ll never forget their kindness.”

Thanks to donors like Marilee, Gilchrist can continue to provide compassionate care to every patient and family—wherever they call home and regardless of their ability to pay.

To learn more about how Gilchrist supports patients and families—or to make a gift that helps continue this mission—visit: https://gilchristcares.org/donate/