Marian and George Gough purchased their first Kerry Blue Terrier in 1947 while living in Port Washington, NY and thus began their life with Kerry Blue Terriers and the Kerry community. They bred under the kennel name Gaymar, breeding their Kerry bitches to many of the well-known Kerry Blues of the day: Ch. Deeds Show Off, Ch. O’Mooney’s Michael of Galway, Ch. Carholme Charles, and Ch. Calkerry Defiant.  After moving to Cleveland, OH in 1964, Marian and George became founding members of the KBTC of Northern Ohio which held its first specialty show in August 1980. George passed away suddenly in 1975, and Marian halted her breeding program.

After moving to Springfield, MO, Marian met Ellen Smith-Wexler and they merged their interests in the breed. Marian’s breeding program was resurrected, and Ellen provided grooming and handling. Their breeding program at this time produced multiple champions that contributed to or helped establish several other breeding programs including Kehalen, Pot O’Gold, Marko and Mistycael to name just a few.

Marian served on the USKBTC Board of Governors beginning in 1978. She maintained membership in the USKBTC and the KBTC of Northern Ohio, and judged the USKBTC Traveling Specialty in conjunction with Great Western Terrier Association in 1991. She will be remembered for her commitment to the breed and wonderful stories of the “old days”.

Condensed from a tribute article by Ellen Smith-Wexler published in the Spring 2007 issue of Kerry Blueprints.