Mary Alice Japp

As Mary Alice Gillen, she was born in San Francisco, California, on June 17, 1944, at St. Mary's Hospital. Mary was the daughter of George William "Bill" Gillen and Grace Margaret McLin. She graduated from Capuchino High School in San Bruno, California, in June 1962. She married Russell Gene Japp on September 19, 1964, at St. Veronica's Catholic Church in San Bruno. Russ and Mary began a friendship in their teen years as part of a neighborhood group of friends. After graduation, this friendship blossomed into romance, followed by 49 years of marriage.

Family and friends could depend upon Mary to remember their important days with a card or a call. Her deep love for her family, and especially for its younger members, seemed endless. Mary enjoyed celebrating the holiday seasons with well-loved, special traditions which won't be forgotten. A lifelong Catholic, she was devoted to the sacraments, and also to the Rosary.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, Russell Japp; one son, Cary (Jeannie) Japp, four grandchildren, Shelby, Colby, Lane and Brandon; one brother, Gregory William (Ellen) Gillen, two nieces, Adrienne (Cesar) Hombrado, Adrienne's girls Jocelyn, Grace, and Ciana Hombrado; and Tara Gillen; a brother-in-law, Larry (Mary) Japp and their family. Both parents preceded her in death. She will be greatly missed by her many relatives and friends,

Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Keaton's Redwood Chapel, 1801 Novato Blvd., Novato, California, on Thursday, January 30, 2014. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1000 Cambridge St., Novato, on Friday, January 31, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. Private family burial services will be held at Valley Memorial Park in Novato.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to hospice.

Arrangements under the direction of Keaton's Redwood Chapel of Marin, Novato, CA.