Nancy Ann Tilley

Obituary of Nancy Ann Tilley

April 24, 1939 - November 18, 2025

Nancy Ann Tilley. Age 86.

Born on April 24, 1939 to Irv and Shirley Roll (nee Brewer). In 1947 the family moved from Detroit to Rockwood, MI and Nancy began her third year of school at St. Mary's Catholic Church and School, which was located across the street from their new home. She began organ and piano lessons that same year, and when she was 14 years old, she played her first Mass at a daily 7:30 AM Mass. The pastor invited her back to play and this began her life-long love of music and her Music Ministry in the Catholic Church. Nancy celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Marriage at St. Mary's. She attended St. Mary's Academy in Monroe, Michigan and there she continued her education in Music and played the organ for the academy.

In 1958 she married Jon Gildersleeve, Sr who had enlisted in the US Airforce, together they travelled with each new assignment and had five children, eventually the family settled back in Michigan until the death of Jon Sr. She was always able to play and sing at churches no matter where the family lived. In Europe she directed and played for award winning choirs. Nancy's love for music enabled her to continue to provide for her family as a single mom of five.

In 1977 she reconnected with a past love, George Henry Tilley and they were married for 35 years. Nancy moved to Florida to be near her children and grandchildren; George joined her upon his retirement and the two of them enjoyed his retirement in Florida until his death.

Nancy continued her music career as a music director for the Diocese of Palm Beach churches and retired at the age of 80. She lived these last few years in Texas under the care of her daughter, Ann Marie.

She is survived by four of her children; Lori (Edward) Humenik, Palm City, FL, Ann Marie Gildersleeve, Austin, TX, Matthew Gildersleeve, Stuart, FL and Paul (Tracey) Gildersleeve, Lincoln Park, MI; five grandchildren, her namesake Nancy (Michael) Poehler, Palm City, FL, Edward (Melissa) Humenik, Jr, Bradenton, FL, Brandon Gildersleeve, Oak Forrest, IL, Adam (Lexi) Gildersleeve, Taylor, MI and Gabriella Bielicki, Cape Cod, MA; great grandchildren, Michael "Vincent" Poehler, Edward "Trey" Humenik, III, Ivy Ann Gildersleeve, Sarah Bielicki and Hanley Humenik; siblings, Suzanne (James) Souva, Sharon (Ron) Lezotte, Ted (Brenda) Roll, Yvonne (Ron) Wright and Jane (James) Nawrocki; and uncle, Charles (Natalie) Burns. Nancy has many nieces and nephews who loved her for her gift of music that she was able to share at many family gatherings, weddings and events in their lives. Most memorable are the family gatherings, if there was a piano or organ, she led them in songs and dancing, passing on the love of music to them.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Irv and Shirley Roll; husbands, Jon Gildersleeve, Sr. and George Henry Tilley, her son, Jon Gildersleeve, Jr; nephews, Brad Souva, Michael McKee, Jr and Patrick McKee; grandniece, Alexis Buhay; grandnephew, James Roll and cousin, Patrick Burns. Nancy left all of us who heard her sing and tickle the ivories, a love of God through her God given talent of music. "I will sing the Lord's Praise, for He has been good to me." Psalm 13.6

Nancy's Mass of Christian Burial will take place on December 13, 2025, 10:00 AM at St Mary, Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Rockwood MI, and will be laid to rest immediately following the Mass with her heavenly son and husband, at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Woodhaven, MI

Family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice especially those that supports families, the arts and music.