Eleanor Virginia (O'Neill) Gill, age 93, wife of the late William L. Gill, Sr., of Stratford, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2014. Born in New York City to the late Frank and Kathleen (Kielly) O'Neill, Eleanor graduated from Mount St. Vincent College in Riverdale, NY. Eleanor was a loving mother to her eleven children, William L. Gill, Jr. and his wife, Laurene of Madison, Kathleen Neumann of Oxford, Julanne Gill of Stratford, Richard Gill and his wife, Karen, of Naugatuck, Frank Gill and his wife, Karen of Stratford, James Gill and his wife, Sandy of Shelton, Charles Gill and his wife Kate of Stratford, Mary Helen Halligan of Seymour and Joseph Gill of Stratford and her late sons, Michael and Edward Gill. She was also a very loving grandmother to her 22 grandchildren, William Gill, III of Killingworth, Kevin Gill of Rhode Island, Ryan and Grace Gill of Madison, Stephen Neumann, Jr. of Florida, Christine, Gregory and Sean Palyo of Stratord, Alyce and Richie Gill of Naugatuck, Travis Gill of Stratford, Sarah Smith of Trumbull, Patrick and Laura Gill of Shelton, Jenna Halligan of Prospect, Kathleen Halligan of Seymour, Dorothy Charles, Mary and Anna Gill of Stratford and Joseph and James Gill of Stratford. Eleanor was also survived by her 5 great-grandchildren, Gregory Palyo, Noah Pancher, Vaida Staffy, Paige Neumann and Sawyer Smith. In addition to her parents, husband and sons, she was predeceased by her brothers, Frank O'Neill and his wife, June; Charles O'Neill and his wife, Kay; and her sisters, Jane Gill and her husband, Robert and Dorothy Kokoszka and her husband, Matthew. Eleanor most recently resided at Bishop Wicke Nursing Home where she was cared for by their wonderful, caring staff.
Please visit www.pisteyfuneralhome.com for full text
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Here is the eulogy that her oldest son, William wrote for the service:
Eleanor Virginia O’Neill Gill was so much more than just Ma or Grandma. But when you have 11 children, 22 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren it can define you. And frankly, Mom was use to that caricature if not always comfortable within its narrow margins. Sure she was a mom but she was educated, she had a career, she had style and grace and sophistication in abundance. Don’t get me wrong, she was never happier when all her kids and grandkids were around. She lived for those days and missed us when she hadn’t seen us for a while. A condition that would bring the rare but mildest of rebukes.
She was born in 1921, first child of Francis Xavier O’Neill and Kathleen Kiley O’Neill in the Bronx. Can you be more Irish? To provide some context, the First World War was just ending and Warren Harding had just become President. She was also the first Grandchild and as result was doted on by her many accomplished uncles and aunts. While my grandfather’s career took the family to various places in Connecticut, they always returned to the Bronx, in and around Fordham Road within walking distance of her large extended family. The whole family would spend their summers at Point Beach in Milford, navigating the Post Road to get back and forth. It was a great childhood and one that my mom never grew tired of relaying to her sometimes attentive but often bored minions.
My grandfather stayed still long enough for my Mom to get through Mt. St. Ursula High School and graduate from Mt. St. Vincent College with a degree in math. Upon graduation she took a job in technical sales support with Remington Rand, a pioneer in computers, who ultimately became what we know today as Unisys. To think that Mom was on the ground floor of the burgeoning computer revolution is hard to get my head around even today. Who knows what might have been if she had not met my dad and quit her job the day before I was born.
But she never looked back and never expressed a moment of regret because she had met the love of her life, my dad. They were incredible together. He made her laugh and though there were difficult days, their complete dedication to each other helped them to persevere.
My Mom was Irish Catholic through and through. 11 children in 14 years. Five of us under the age of 5 for 10 years. I don’t know how she did it. I was there, I remember it all, but now as a parent myself, I just shake my head and marvel.
She was a devout Roman Catholic and even when she was no longer able to get to church on Sundays in her later years would watch mass on TV. Her faith was so much a part of her life, it provided the resolve to get her through the difficult days she faced after my brother Eddie died as an infant, which shook her to her core. It changed her but didn’t break her.
Mom was a passionate Kennedy Democrat, no surprise there. I remember when I was ten, Kennedy made a campaign stop in Stratford and Mom, who never got her driver’s license, insisted that my Dad take me to see him. Kennedy was two hours late and it was cold for November, but he did stop outside Stratford Town Hall for a moment. It was well after midnight when we returned home. My mom was still up, polishing the silverware. I had never seen my mom polish the silverware before or did I after that night. She wanted to know all about it. What did he say, how did he say it, how did he look, what was he wearing? She asked me. She was very interested in my reaction to Kennedy. I sensed that and felt compelled to embellish. I didn’t remember what he said, nor would I really understand it, I was 10. But I did remember his overcoat. So I went with the overcoat hard. I let her know it was the most beautiful blue overcoat I had ever seen and on and on about the overcoat. She just smiled, with that sparkle in her blue eyes and suggested it was time for bed.
My mom was the sweetest non-judgmental person I have ever met.
She raised 10 kids but never told us how to raise our own. If she had opinions, and she did, she kept them to herself. She may have been the best mother-in-law ever. But mention George Bush, watch out. But even when I tweaked her just for fun on Mr. Bush, she would listen very politely, because we were all entitled to our own opinions after all, that was how we were raised, even if we were clueless.
My Mom lived with my sister Kathy after my Dad died in 1989. I don’t know what she would have done without Kathy and as Kathy noted what she would have done without my Mom. Kathy has done all the heavy lifting for my Mom ever since. We all owe a debt of gratitude to my sister that we will never be able to repay. Thank you.
My mother was a remarkable woman even though she was just Mom to us. She is the last of her generation and that wore on her. She missed her sisters Jane and Dorothy and brothers Frank and Charlie. But most of all she missed my Dad, who she always referred to as Daddy. It’s been a long time, but she is looking into his eyes, smiling and laughing that silent laugh of hers once again. It is that image of the two of them together, at long last that I will choose to remember when my thoughts dwell on the classiest lady I have ever met. Mom.
Please visit www.pisteyfuneralhome.com for full text
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the eulogy that her oldest son, William wrote for the service:
Eleanor Virginia O’Neill Gill was so much more than just Ma or Grandma. But when you have 11 children, 22 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren it can define you. And frankly, Mom was use to that caricature if not always comfortable within its narrow margins. Sure she was a mom but she was educated, she had a career, she had style and grace and sophistication in abundance. Don’t get me wrong, she was never happier when all her kids and grandkids were around. She lived for those days and missed us when she hadn’t seen us for a while. A condition that would bring the rare but mildest of rebukes.
She was born in 1921, first child of Francis Xavier O’Neill and Kathleen Kiley O’Neill in the Bronx. Can you be more Irish? To provide some context, the First World War was just ending and Warren Harding had just become President. She was also the first Grandchild and as result was doted on by her many accomplished uncles and aunts. While my grandfather’s career took the family to various places in Connecticut, they always returned to the Bronx, in and around Fordham Road within walking distance of her large extended family. The whole family would spend their summers at Point Beach in Milford, navigating the Post Road to get back and forth. It was a great childhood and one that my mom never grew tired of relaying to her sometimes attentive but often bored minions.
My grandfather stayed still long enough for my Mom to get through Mt. St. Ursula High School and graduate from Mt. St. Vincent College with a degree in math. Upon graduation she took a job in technical sales support with Remington Rand, a pioneer in computers, who ultimately became what we know today as Unisys. To think that Mom was on the ground floor of the burgeoning computer revolution is hard to get my head around even today. Who knows what might have been if she had not met my dad and quit her job the day before I was born.
But she never looked back and never expressed a moment of regret because she had met the love of her life, my dad. They were incredible together. He made her laugh and though there were difficult days, their complete dedication to each other helped them to persevere.
My Mom was Irish Catholic through and through. 11 children in 14 years. Five of us under the age of 5 for 10 years. I don’t know how she did it. I was there, I remember it all, but now as a parent myself, I just shake my head and marvel.
She was a devout Roman Catholic and even when she was no longer able to get to church on Sundays in her later years would watch mass on TV. Her faith was so much a part of her life, it provided the resolve to get her through the difficult days she faced after my brother Eddie died as an infant, which shook her to her core. It changed her but didn’t break her.
Mom was a passionate Kennedy Democrat, no surprise there. I remember when I was ten, Kennedy made a campaign stop in Stratford and Mom, who never got her driver’s license, insisted that my Dad take me to see him. Kennedy was two hours late and it was cold for November, but he did stop outside Stratford Town Hall for a moment. It was well after midnight when we returned home. My mom was still up, polishing the silverware. I had never seen my mom polish the silverware before or did I after that night. She wanted to know all about it. What did he say, how did he say it, how did he look, what was he wearing? She asked me. She was very interested in my reaction to Kennedy. I sensed that and felt compelled to embellish. I didn’t remember what he said, nor would I really understand it, I was 10. But I did remember his overcoat. So I went with the overcoat hard. I let her know it was the most beautiful blue overcoat I had ever seen and on and on about the overcoat. She just smiled, with that sparkle in her blue eyes and suggested it was time for bed.
My mom was the sweetest non-judgmental person I have ever met.
She raised 10 kids but never told us how to raise our own. If she had opinions, and she did, she kept them to herself. She may have been the best mother-in-law ever. But mention George Bush, watch out. But even when I tweaked her just for fun on Mr. Bush, she would listen very politely, because we were all entitled to our own opinions after all, that was how we were raised, even if we were clueless.
My Mom lived with my sister Kathy after my Dad died in 1989. I don’t know what she would have done without Kathy and as Kathy noted what she would have done without my Mom. Kathy has done all the heavy lifting for my Mom ever since. We all owe a debt of gratitude to my sister that we will never be able to repay. Thank you.
My mother was a remarkable woman even though she was just Mom to us. She is the last of her generation and that wore on her. She missed her sisters Jane and Dorothy and brothers Frank and Charlie. But most of all she missed my Dad, who she always referred to as Daddy. It’s been a long time, but she is looking into his eyes, smiling and laughing that silent laugh of hers once again. It is that image of the two of them together, at long last that I will choose to remember when my thoughts dwell on the classiest lady I have ever met. Mom.
Eleanor Virginia (O'Neill) Gill, age 93, wife of the late William L. Gill, Sr., of Stratford, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2014. Born in New York City to the late Frank and Kathleen (Kielly) O'Neill, Eleanor graduated from Mount St. Vincent College in Riverdale, NY. Eleanor was a loving mother to her eleven children, William L. Gill, Jr. and his wife, Laurene of Madison, Kathleen Neumann of Oxford, Julanne Gill of Stratford, Richard Gill and his wife, Karen, of Naugatuck, Frank Gill and his wife, Karen of Stratford, James Gill and his wife, Sandy of Shelton, Charles Gill and his wife Kate of Stratford, Mary Helen Halligan of Seymour and Joseph Gill of Stratford and her late sons, Michael and Edward Gill. She was also a very loving grandmother to her 22 grandchildren, William Gill, III of Killingworth, Kevin Gill of Rhode Island, Ryan and Grace Gill of Madison, Stephen Neumann, Jr. of Florida, Christine, Gregory and Sean Palyo of Stratord, Alyce and Richie Gill of Naugatuck, Travis Gill of Stratford, Sarah Smith of Trumbull, Patrick and Laura Gill of Shelton, Jenna Halligan of Prospect, Kathleen Halligan of Seymour, Dorothy Charles, Mary and Anna Gill of Stratford and Joseph and James Gill of Stratford. Eleanor was also survived by her 5 great-grandchildren, Gregory Palyo, Noah Pancher, Vaida Staffy, Paige Neumann and Sawyer Smith. In addition to her parents, husband and sons, she was predeceased by her brothers, Frank O'Neill and his wife, June; Charles O'Neill and his wife, Kay; and her sisters, Jane Gill and her husband, Robert and Dorothy Kokoszka and her husband, Matthew. Eleanor most recently resided at Bishop Wicke Nursing Home where she was cared for by their wonderful, caring staff.
Please visit www.pisteyfuneralhome.com for full text
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the eulogy that her oldest son, William wrote for the service:
Eleanor Virginia O’Neill Gill was so much more than just Ma or Grandma. But when you have 11 children, 22 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren it can define you. And frankly, Mom was use to that caricature if not always comfortable within its narrow margins. Sure she was a mom but she was educated, she had a career, she had style and grace and sophistication in abundance. Don’t get me wrong, she was never happier when all her kids and grandkids were around. She lived for those days and missed us when she hadn’t seen us for a while. A condition that would bring the rare but mildest of rebukes.
She was born in 1921, first child of Francis Xavier O’Neill and Kathleen Kiley O’Neill in the Bronx. Can you be more Irish? To provide some context, the First World War was just ending and Warren Harding had just become President. She was also the first Grandchild and as result was doted on by her many accomplished uncles and aunts. While my grandfather’s career took the family to various places in Connecticut, they always returned to the Bronx, in and around Fordham Road within walking distance of her large extended family. The whole family would spend their summers at Point Beach in Milford, navigating the Post Road to get back and forth. It was a great childhood and one that my mom never grew tired of relaying to her sometimes attentive but often bored minions.
My grandfather stayed still long enough for my Mom to get through Mt. St. Ursula High School and graduate from Mt. St. Vincent College with a degree in math. Upon graduation she took a job in technical sales support with Remington Rand, a pioneer in computers, who ultimately became what we know today as Unisys. To think that Mom was on the ground floor of the burgeoning computer revolution is hard to get my head around even today. Who knows what might have been if she had not met my dad and quit her job the day before I was born.
But she never looked back and never expressed a moment of regret because she had met the love of her life, my dad. They were incredible together. He made her laugh and though there were difficult days, their complete dedication to each other helped them to persevere.
My Mom was Irish Catholic through and through. 11 children in 14 years. Five of us under the age of 5 for 10 years. I don’t know how she did it. I was there, I remember it all, but now as a parent myself, I just shake my head and marvel.
She was a devout Roman Catholic and even when she was no longer able to get to church on Sundays in her later years would watch mass on TV. Her faith was so much a part of her life, it provided the resolve to get her through the difficult days she faced after my brother Eddie died as an infant, which shook her to her core. It changed her but didn’t break her.
Mom was a passionate Kennedy Democrat, no surprise there. I remember when I was ten, Kennedy made a campaign stop in Stratford and Mom, who never got her driver’s license, insisted that my Dad take me to see him. Kennedy was two hours late and it was cold for November, but he did stop outside Stratford Town Hall for a moment. It was well after midnight when we returned home. My mom was still up, polishing the silverware. I had never seen my mom polish the silverware before or did I after that night. She wanted to know all about it. What did he say, how did he say it, how did he look, what was he wearing? She asked me. She was very interested in my reaction to Kennedy. I sensed that and felt compelled to embellish. I didn’t remember what he said, nor would I really understand it, I was 10. But I did remember his overcoat. So I went with the overcoat hard. I let her know it was the most beautiful blue overcoat I had ever seen and on and on about the overcoat. She just smiled, with that sparkle in her blue eyes and suggested it was time for bed.
My mom was the sweetest non-judgmental person I have ever met.
She raised 10 kids but never told us how to raise our own. If she had opinions, and she did, she kept them to herself. She may have been the best mother-in-law ever. But mention George Bush, watch out. But even when I tweaked her just for fun on Mr. Bush, she would listen very politely, because we were all entitled to our own opinions after all, that was how we were raised, even if we were clueless.
My Mom lived with my sister Kathy after my Dad died in 1989. I don’t know what she would have done without Kathy and as Kathy noted what she would have done without my Mom. Kathy has done all the heavy lifting for my Mom ever since. We all owe a debt of gratitude to my sister that we will never be able to repay. Thank you.
My mother was a remarkable woman even though she was just Mom to us. She is the last of her generation and that wore on her. She missed her sisters Jane and Dorothy and brothers Frank and Charlie. But most of all she missed my Dad, who she always referred to as Daddy. It’s been a long time, but she is looking into his eyes, smiling and laughing that silent laugh of hers once again. It is that image of the two of them together, at long last that I will choose to remember when my thoughts dwell on the classiest lady I have ever met. Mom.
Please visit www.pisteyfuneralhome.com for full text
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the eulogy that her oldest son, William wrote for the service:
Eleanor Virginia O’Neill Gill was so much more than just Ma or Grandma. But when you have 11 children, 22 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren it can define you. And frankly, Mom was use to that caricature if not always comfortable within its narrow margins. Sure she was a mom but she was educated, she had a career, she had style and grace and sophistication in abundance. Don’t get me wrong, she was never happier when all her kids and grandkids were around. She lived for those days and missed us when she hadn’t seen us for a while. A condition that would bring the rare but mildest of rebukes.
She was born in 1921, first child of Francis Xavier O’Neill and Kathleen Kiley O’Neill in the Bronx. Can you be more Irish? To provide some context, the First World War was just ending and Warren Harding had just become President. She was also the first Grandchild and as result was doted on by her many accomplished uncles and aunts. While my grandfather’s career took the family to various places in Connecticut, they always returned to the Bronx, in and around Fordham Road within walking distance of her large extended family. The whole family would spend their summers at Point Beach in Milford, navigating the Post Road to get back and forth. It was a great childhood and one that my mom never grew tired of relaying to her sometimes attentive but often bored minions.
My grandfather stayed still long enough for my Mom to get through Mt. St. Ursula High School and graduate from Mt. St. Vincent College with a degree in math. Upon graduation she took a job in technical sales support with Remington Rand, a pioneer in computers, who ultimately became what we know today as Unisys. To think that Mom was on the ground floor of the burgeoning computer revolution is hard to get my head around even today. Who knows what might have been if she had not met my dad and quit her job the day before I was born.
But she never looked back and never expressed a moment of regret because she had met the love of her life, my dad. They were incredible together. He made her laugh and though there were difficult days, their complete dedication to each other helped them to persevere.
My Mom was Irish Catholic through and through. 11 children in 14 years. Five of us under the age of 5 for 10 years. I don’t know how she did it. I was there, I remember it all, but now as a parent myself, I just shake my head and marvel.
She was a devout Roman Catholic and even when she was no longer able to get to church on Sundays in her later years would watch mass on TV. Her faith was so much a part of her life, it provided the resolve to get her through the difficult days she faced after my brother Eddie died as an infant, which shook her to her core. It changed her but didn’t break her.
Mom was a passionate Kennedy Democrat, no surprise there. I remember when I was ten, Kennedy made a campaign stop in Stratford and Mom, who never got her driver’s license, insisted that my Dad take me to see him. Kennedy was two hours late and it was cold for November, but he did stop outside Stratford Town Hall for a moment. It was well after midnight when we returned home. My mom was still up, polishing the silverware. I had never seen my mom polish the silverware before or did I after that night. She wanted to know all about it. What did he say, how did he say it, how did he look, what was he wearing? She asked me. She was very interested in my reaction to Kennedy. I sensed that and felt compelled to embellish. I didn’t remember what he said, nor would I really understand it, I was 10. But I did remember his overcoat. So I went with the overcoat hard. I let her know it was the most beautiful blue overcoat I had ever seen and on and on about the overcoat. She just smiled, with that sparkle in her blue eyes and suggested it was time for bed.
My mom was the sweetest non-judgmental person I have ever met.
She raised 10 kids but never told us how to raise our own. If she had opinions, and she did, she kept them to herself. She may have been the best mother-in-law ever. But mention George Bush, watch out. But even when I tweaked her just for fun on Mr. Bush, she would listen very politely, because we were all entitled to our own opinions after all, that was how we were raised, even if we were clueless.
My Mom lived with my sister Kathy after my Dad died in 1989. I don’t know what she would have done without Kathy and as Kathy noted what she would have done without my Mom. Kathy has done all the heavy lifting for my Mom ever since. We all owe a debt of gratitude to my sister that we will never be able to repay. Thank you.
My mother was a remarkable woman even though she was just Mom to us. She is the last of her generation and that wore on her. She missed her sisters Jane and Dorothy and brothers Frank and Charlie. But most of all she missed my Dad, who she always referred to as Daddy. It’s been a long time, but she is looking into his eyes, smiling and laughing that silent laugh of hers once again. It is that image of the two of them together, at long last that I will choose to remember when my thoughts dwell on the classiest lady I have ever met. Mom.
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