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Molly Gills Obituary
Molly came to Michigan as a teenager when her family relocated to Lansing in 1962. After graduating from Lansing Everett High School in 1965, she attended Michigan State University. It was there that she met her soul mate, James Gills, to whom she was wed in 1966 and remained lovingly married for 41 years. She later attended Lansing Community College, becoming a registered nurse in 1978.
Molly and Jim brought their family to Traverse City in 1982 where she worked as a nurse for many years with the Grand Traverse County Health Department, Munson Home Health Care and the Goodwill Inn Homeless Shelter.
She also volunteered for the Red Cross, the Women's Resource Center, was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was active in many community groups. She was passionate about her political beliefs and devoted her life to the democratic ideals she held so dear.
Molly loved all animals and was an avid bird watcher. She was especially fond of a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers who frequently visited her wooded yard. She was a gifted seamstress and loved sewing things for her grandchildren. By far, her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly and was immensely proud.
She is survived by her mother, Gwynneth Rogers; husband, Jim; children, Kevin, Bradley and Lauren; sister, Jean (and husband, Richard) Paul; brother, David (and wife, Kathy) Rogers; daughters-in-law, Sara Ebinger-Gills and Piper Gills; her precious grandchildren, Jared, Michael, Zoe and Margaret; and many nieces and nephews.
Molly was preceded in death by her father, Robert Rogers.
A memorial service to celebrate Molly's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 19, at Unity Church, 3600 Five Mile Road, in Traverse City.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherryland Humane Society or the Goodwill Inn Homeless Shelter in Traverse City.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
michele Bush ( robertson)
October 2, 2007
dear extened family- i know it has been many many years since we all last talked laughed and smiled together but i just wanted to let you know my thoughts are with you all and i am sorry for the loss of my other "mamma" that i had during my teenage and younger years- i loved growing up near you all and all the good times we had together like the "nerd party" remember?? it was so much fun and i am sorry that words cannot bring more comfort to you and your family but please know molly and rest of the family are ones who i have dear memeories of----my prayers and thoughts are with you and all of your family---
love and blessings-
Michele Bush ( robertson) and son Ian
Erika Solomonson (Cardinel)
September 21, 2007
Jim, Kevin, Brad and Lauren...
sooo sorry to hear about the sudden death of your wife/mom. While I haven't seen you all for some time. (Molly and Jim were at my wedding in 2000...). I have many fond memories of hanging out with your family when we all lived in lansing. I know my parents do too! I remember Lots and Lots of laughing! You are all in my prayers.
Cindi DeSpelder
September 19, 2007
Jim, Kevin,Brad,Lauren and children,
I am so saddened by your loss. Molly was such a unique and special woman. She touched the lives of everyone who ever knew her. I do not believe I have ever laughed as hard or as long as I did when we were together. She knew how to make an every day event something to remember for years.
Although Molly and I were not close for some time, hearing everyone talk about her today at the memorial made me remember so many good times. It was wonderful to see Kevin, Brad and Lauren as adults who have grown to be intelligent free spirits just as we always wanted our children to become. I regret that I did not get the opportunity to re-connect with Molly in recent years because I know we would have found so very much to talk about and I feel we would have had much more in common now than we ever did in the past.
We always think there will be time ahead to do things or see people- time to make things whole again. Losing Molly now at such a young age closed that door for me forever and it makes me very sad. But I especially feel sad for your wonderful family becsuse I know how much she meant to all of you. I know you have many close friends and family to help you through these hard times. Please count me and John among your friends and let us know if we can ever do anything for you.
Cathey Fuller
September 18, 2007
Dear Jim and Family,
When I first started working for you and Molly it was a cleaning job. It became much more than that. Sometimes I would need to talk, sometimes Molly needed to talk or we both needed to talk. We became friends and some days we talked longer than it took me to clean the house. I looked so forward to seeing her. She was kind, decent, loving, and so much more. I will miss her greatly. She was everything a good friend should be. Love Cathey Fuller
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Leslie Arnell
September 18, 2007
Jim,We love you so much and our thoughts and hearts are with you during this~please know that. For the love of God I really don't know else to write. It would have to take this to make me speechless-Molly would have been proud.
Kevin,Piper,Jared,Michael,Brad,Sara, Margaret,Lauren and Zoe-I'm sincerely so sorry you are going through this.
Much Love-Caitlin,Amy and Leslie
Janice Baers
September 17, 2007
To all of Molly's family,
Molly will be truly missed by all of those who lives she has touched with her loving ways and ongoing kindness.
Molly was always the first one to say
"Count on my help at your next blood drive".
Molly always greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word, I will truly miss her.
Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but, rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.
With my sincere sympathy,
Janice Baers
The American Red Cross
Dick and Colette Riffenburg
September 17, 2007
Dear Jim and Family:
Dick and I just returned from Minnesota Friday when we heard the sad news.
Molly was a dear friend and an inspiration to all.
We shall miss her but know she is at Peace and that gives us great comfort.
Much love,
Dick and Colette Riffenburg
stephanie Willard
September 16, 2007
My heart and thoughts are with all of you. Much love, Stephanie
Kathy Meyer (Cortez)
September 16, 2007
Dear Jim and Family,
Please accept my heartfelt sorrow. Because Paula and I have been close friends since we were 14 years old, Jim and Molly have been in my life a very long time, even if only from a distance. I remember being a teenager when I first heard that Jim had found his love. When I first met her, I immediately knew why. Wise beyond her years, passionate about the important things, courageous, and armed with the gift of humor that could cut through any barrier, she was truly a person you couldn't wait to see again. She will always be with you. Love, Kathy
REL
September 16, 2007
Dear Molly, champion of causes near and dear to your heart. Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with us. It was an honor to have known you. You will remain in my heart forever.
Sue Willard
September 16, 2007
Jim I am so sorry and was so surprised. I pray that God gives you strength to get through this.
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