Gloria Maria Gilkison

Gloria Marie Gilkison (nee Hill), 87, passed away peacefully with family at her side Saturday, December 29th, 2012, at Spring Meadows in Libertyville, Illinois. She was born August 26,1925, in Greenwood, LA. Gloria was the beloved wife of the late Charles P. Gilkison IV. She was a loving mother to Charles P. V. (Barbara)(nee Sorenson) of Green Oaks, John of Tampa, FL, Sally Hall (Craig) of Crested Butte, CO, and Nancy Betts (Jack) of Woodstock, GA. She was the cherished grandmother of Charles P. VI (Kyra) and Julie Gilkison, Julia and Riley Kortz and Sophie Hall and the proud great-grandmother of Tasha and Brody Gilkison. Many cousins and dear friends also survive her across the country in the many places she and Chuck lived. Gloria had a wonderful childhood in Texarkana, AR living with her mother, Marie, and her dear grandparents. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1949 with a degree in Speech and Communications and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She married her dear husband, Chuck, whom she met at Northwestern, on April 21,1951, and they raised their family in Libertyville, IL, New City, NY and Yardley, PA. They retired in Tampa, FL. One of her favorite stories was about planting all of the parkway trees up and down Blueberry in the early 60's that are now fully grown. She was also an early advocate of SEDOL and getting her son John to be one of the first deaf students to be mainstreamed in the classroom. She was one of the first initiates of the Libertyville PEO Sisterhood and she was still a member in Tampa, FL. Gloria spent the last 3 years of her life at Spring Meadows, where she could be close to her family. She loved becoming reacquainted with many former friends of Libertyville and made it a point to get to know everyone there. She always had a smile on her face and left a smile on all of those with whom she came in contact. Visitation and a brief service will be held Saturday, January 12, from 1 PM until 3PM at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 West Park Ave., Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, Gloria would like donations to be made to JDRF, 500 N. Dearborn, Ste 305, Chicago, IL 60610, or the charity of your choice.

Gloria Maria Gilkison

August 26, 1925 - December 29, 2012