Obituary of Thelma Jane Gill

ASHTABULA - Thelma "T.J." Jane Gill, 81, of Ashtabula, passed away peacefully Monday, April 30, 2018 surrounded by family in the Hospice Unit of the Ashtabula County Medical Center. She was born June 12, 1936 in Canonsburg, PA, the daughter of the late Walter and Sara (Bigi) King. A 1954 graduate of Mercer High School where she was Salutatorian of her class, T.J. graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in 1958. She was a member of The Rho Chi (Px), an international honor society for pharmaceutical sciences, and the Delta Zeta Sorority. On June 14, 1957, she married the love of her life, Donald J. Gill. Mr. and Mrs. Gill moved to Ashtabula in 1960, where she became the first female pharmacist in Ashtabula County. Over the years, she worked at Benders, Joki's, Win's, Wentling's, The Medicine Shop and Gerdes Pharmacy. Mrs. Gill was an active member of the East Side Presbyterian Church where she directed the bell choirs and sang in the church choir. She was past-president of the Ashtabula Women's Club. She was also a member of the Messiah Chorus and enjoyed singing and fundraising for the group. When her children were young, she served as a Cub Scout den mother. More recently, she enjoyed traveling to Florida with her husband over the last 20 years. She loved the water, swimming, and waterskiing. Her family remembers times when she would waterski from Ashtabula to Conneaut or Ashtabula to Geneva-on-the-Lake and back. She also loved traveling, camping, reading, shopping, and most of all, her family. TJ is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Don; daughter, Vivian Lynn (Mark) Oristano of Dallas, TX; sons, Douglas Ford Gill of Ashtabula, Scott David (Jolene) Gill of Perry, and Donald J. (Melanie) Gill, Jr. of Palatine, IL; two grandchildren, Gabriella Marrison and Josie Ann Gill; brother, David (Pat) King of Mercer, PA; and a sister, Brooke (Robert) Huston of Mercer, PA. She was preceded in death by her youngest sister, Mary Martha "Marty" Bliss and her parents. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 4, 2018 at 11 AM at the East Side Presbyterian Church, 3440 Edgewood Dr., Ashtabula, Ohio with Rev. Dr. Michelle Bartel, Pastor officiating assisted by Rev. Vernon Palo. Calling hours will be held Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 5-8 PM at the Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula and at the church on Friday from 10 AM until the time of service. Graveside services will be held 12 Noon Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Mt. Washington Zahniser Cemetery on Bend Rd., Jefferson Twp., Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to East Side Presbyterian Church, 3440 Edgewood Dr., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula is handling arrangements. Online obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com