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Russell Ann Gilliam

1943 - 2018

BORN

1943

DIED

2018

Russell Gilliam Obituary

April 17, 1943 - December 10, 2018 Ms. Russell Ann Gilliam Esq., 75, passed away in her sleep on December 10th, 2018 at her home in Guanajuato, Mexico, where she had lived for several years. She leaves her son Dem Pilafian, her daughter Dr. Molly Pilafian Swick, and her sister Michelle Phillips. She had three grandchildren: Jake, Abegail, and Jessica Swick, and nieces and nephews Chynna Phillips Baldwin, Austin Hines, and Aron Wilson. Other family members include Peter Pilafian, Gary Swick, and William, Jameson, Vance, and Brooke Baldwin. Her mother Joyce died when Russell was six, and her father Gardner (Gil) passed in 1996. Russell practiced in the Los Angeles Children's Court, where she will be remembered for her tenacity, obstinance, and tough but tender-hearted approach to the law as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. She will be sorely missed by her family, colleagues and friends in both the United States and Mexico. Her remains will be shared by the two countries she loved.

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Jan. 12 to Jan. 14, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Russell Gilliam

15 Entries

mark/sera

December 27, 2023

Rest in peace, my dear friend. I remember the lovely times together chatting en el jardin union and at your place en Pastita, Guanajuato. you were wonderful and i loved listening to you and your stories.

D.H.

November 24, 2023

D.H.

November 24, 2023

D.H.

November 24, 2023

My mom, Floy Ann Lay, passed away this past August. She went to school with Russell and Michelle. I am posting her to share this photo that mom still had in the hopes that it will get to Russell's family. I have the original if they would like, I'd be happy to send it to them. They should be able to contact me through this site?? Mom always spoke highly of Russell and her sister.

Geza

August 15, 2023

Saddened to hear that Rusty passed away. She was a good friend when I came to this country and helped me , since I did not speak English. Me, my uncle Tommy, my aunt Marika, and Rusty´ family spent many hours together in the distant past. May you test in peace. You are missed very much!

Geza

Dana Powers

June 6, 2021

Russell was an authentic woman and a lovely neighbor. We spent many wonderful afternoons on her deck and I will always treasure our deep and soulful conversations. She lived a full life and was an inspiration to me.

ANGELES PEREZ YEBRA

November 7, 2020

I met her in Guanajuato through a friend in common and she gave a domino to my son.

Richard White

April 4, 2020

I knew Russell in high school. Russell went to Marshall High and I went Glendale High. Rusty was a beautiful young lady along with her sister. Rusty, Michelle, Kelly and I had a lot of fun together. It was one of best times of my life. I am very proud of her accomplishments and extremely proud to have know her. I miss her very much.

February 24, 2020

Russell was a very close friend in high school, and I spent many hours with her and Michelle through the years. Russell (she was called Rusty in high school) is the reason I went to law school. When I decided to take her advice and go, she smiled, shook my hand, and said "See you in three years."

She was a very strong personality and always stood up for what she believed in. She loved Guanajuato so it seems appropriate that is where she spent her last days. Love you, buddy. Enjoy your place in the heavenly beyond.

David Kerr

December 31, 2019

A belated condolences to the bereaved family of Russel Ann Gilliam. My fond memories are flowing for a friend that I have not seen since graduating together from John Marshall High School. A great girl and true friend always. God rest her soul in peace!

David Kerr
Fort Smith, AR

Sunnylands Annenberg Estate

Frank and Raymond Jasko Roman

November 6, 2019

Both Raymond and I,Frank, send our condolences to family,especially to her sister. We were acquaintances of "Anna" in Capital Guanajuato, Mexico. We remember vividly her frustrated, storied commitment to Family Court in Los Angeles and her pride in her own family. We shared a common geography- Guerneville, Hemet, Idyllwild and Guanajuato at different times.

Joel Rosenthal

July 27, 2019

Just found out about Russell's passing. We had many memorable years together. My condolences to Dem,Molly,Peter, Chynna and Michelle.

Joan Daniels

April 18, 2019

She was my study-buddy from Day One in law school. We spent endless hours together from 1982 to 1986, including when she worked for the Handlers at their Malibu Sea Colony estate. She later followed me to Juvenile Dependency Court. I loved her very much. Her death is a loss to everyone who knew her.

January 18, 2019

So sorry to hear of the passing of my husband's third cousin, Russell Ann Gilliam. We only met her once when she invited us to have brunch with her and her sister, Michelle, on Orthodox Easter at Taverna Tony's in Malibu many years ago. I just remember what a sweet person she was. Wish we would have been able to know her better.

Our deepest sympathy to her whole family. May Russell Ann rest in peace, and may the memories you have of her keep her close in your hearts forever.

Carol & Bitner Winckler
Agoura Hills, CA

January 14, 2019

Very sorry for your loss. May Gods loving words found in Isaiah 57:15 NWT give you a measure of comfort at this time of need.

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