Carla Gilfillan

1968 - 2021

Carla Gilfillan
Avon - Carla L. Gilfillan, 52 years young of Little Swan Lake, Avon Illinois, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021, with her family by her side at MAYO Clinic Hospital - St. Mary's Campus Rochester, Minnesota.
Carla Lynn Shank was born May 30, 1968 in Galesburg, Illinois, to Charles and Dixie (Jones) Shank. She married James L. Gilfillan on April 23, 1994 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Abingdon.
Carla is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, James. To this union were born three wonderful children, Brandon of rural Galesburg, Erin and Jacob of Little Swan Lake, Avon. Along with her father, she is survived by her brother, Christopher Shank of Abingdon, and her sister, Gina (and Joseph) Krupps of rural Galesburg. Her mother, Dixie Shank, preceded her in death in 2019.
Carla was raised in Abingdon, a 1986 graduate from Abingdon High School and 1988 graduate of Carl Sandburg College. In 1990, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Gerontology and a minor in Psychology from Western Illinois University. Her profession of many years was in human resources for long-term care facilities.
Carla's greatest love was her family. She was a devoted wife, and loving mother to her three children. She enjoyed being with her family and attending all of her children's events. She was blessed to have many family and friends, whom she cherished all across the country. She was larger than life, smart, strong, determined, sweet, funny, and feisty. She was petite in size but had a big heart and was a force to be reckoned with. She loved and enjoyed all animals and flowers and was an avid reader. She participated in clinical trials and studies in both her autoimmune Wegners Granulomatosis and Covid 19 diseases, as she wanted to help other people and for them to learn from her. She was an organ donor but was ineligible to participate. Carla was courageous and fought a four-month battle that she lost to COVID-19. She was especially grateful to "Aviation Angels of Hope", who flew Carla and her family to Mayo many times. She loved us and we are truly blessed. Carla is greatly loved and forever missed. Our hearts are broken. Carla was a beautiful wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.
As per her wishes, cremation has been accorded. There will be no visitation. A Memorial Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Abingdon. Father Lee Brokaw will officiate. Committal of her ashes will be in the Abingdon Cemetery following mass. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is assisting the family with local announcements.
Strict Covid 19 restrictions will be adhered to; this includes required masks and social distancing.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.