Arlene H. Gillis

Arlene H. Gillis, 83, of Estero, FL, died Monday, March 23, 2015. Formerly of Crossville, TN, she had been an Estero resident since 1998. She was born June 25, 1931 in Lincoln, IA, the daughter of Claude and Rose (née Boss) Hamilton. Arlene graduated from Mercy School of Nursing at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in 1952 in Dubuque, Iowa. Following graduation, she worked as a Neuropsychiatric Staff Nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. When her husband moved to Detroit, MI and Pittsburgh, PA, she found nursing positions at various hospitals in the vicinities. When the family moved to Indiana, PA, she found nursing opportunities with various school districts and local schools. While in Indiana, she obtained her B.S. in Education/Public School Nursing, graduating cum laude. Her last position was with the Area Agency on Aging in Youngstown, OH where she was a Case Manager Supervisor and obtained her Master's Degree in Counseling from Youngstown State University. Arlene was a big proponent of community service, having served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross: she served on the Indiana Chapter Board of Directors, as a Coordinator of Volunteer Nurses, and assisted with the Bloodmobile and Flood Disaster Units. In her later years, she and her husband enjoyed traveling the world and doting on their seven grandchildren. Mrs. Gillis is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Bernard T. Gillis; her beloved children, Gregory (Patricia) Gillis of Mineral Ridge, OH, Gwendolyn (Gerard) Budnik of Scottsdale, AZ, Kathryn (Robert) Kinderman of Pittsburgh, PA, and Dr. Theresa (Alan King) Gillis of Wilmington, DE; her brother and sister, Virgil (Carrie) Hamilton of Rogers, AR, and Irma (the late William) Wolfe of Sumter, SC; and seven cherished grandchildren, Morgan, Natalie, Garrett, Eric, Aidan, Owen and Sophie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Ft. Myers. Burial will follow in the church memorial garden. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Hope Hospice, www.hopehospice.org/donate/. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Arlene H. Gillis

June 25, 1931 - March 23, 2015