Mercy Gillihan

Mercy Gillihan from Waterford CA, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by her children, on 29 March 2024. Mercy was born in Spain on 22 July 1940 to Aquilino Cubillas-Santos and Maria Blanco Leon.

It was in her home country of Spain that she met the man of her dreams while working at a restaurant. Clarence Gillihan was a young airman stationed there that was taken by her beauty and was relentless in pursuing her until he eventually won her heart. Clarence and Mercy were married on 21 May 1960 and went on to have 3 children; William Andrew (Bill), Lilly Suzanne (Susie), and Clarence Edward Jr.

Clarence and Mercy eventually were stationed back in the U.S. where they settled down to raise their children. Mercy was able to gain her citizenship in the U.S. and was very proud to be an American, but remained very close to her family in Spain.

Mercy was passionate about helping others become American citizens like herself. She worked in Migrant Education for many years until she retired. She loved teaching English as a second language and changed many young lives for the better as they adjusted living in the U.S. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Everyone that knew her loved her. Mercy enjoyed gardening flowers and raising her beautiful cocktail birds.

Mercy was predeceased by Clarence leaving an emptiness in her heart that she carried until her last breath. She is survived by her children: Bill and spouse Debbie, Susie and spouse Keith, and Clarence Jr.; grandchildren: Crystal, Douglas, Nicolas, Serena and spouse Lance, Sierra and spouse Terry, and Solomon; great-grandchildren: Anaya, Lilliana, Hayden, Jayce, Juston, Marshal, and Ava, along with several step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those that will miss her includes her family in Spain: brother Pepe Cubillas, sisters; Maruja Marin, and Madonita Cubillas, nieces and nephews; Pepe Marin, Luisito Marin, Fernando Marin, Rosa Marie Marin, Javier Cubillas, Jose Cubillas, Susana Cubillas, and David Cubillas along with several great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Lakewood Memorial on April 10th at 10am. A reception will be held after the service at 12117 Pecan Avenue Waterford CA. An open viewing will be available the night before on April 9th from 4-8pm.