Mildred “Millie” Gilluly

Mildred (Millie) Gilluly of Vero Beach Florida passed away on February 17, 2014. But that statement does not begin to tell you of her life.She was a warm,loving and vibrant woman who impacted for the better all those whose lives’ she was fortunate enough to have touched.

Born in New York, she was raised in Guttenburg, New Jersey with her parents Gertrude and Rudolph Fleischner and her four wonderful brothers Bernie, Lewis, Joe and Carl. This would set the foundation for the life she would build for her own family. After graduating from school, Millie ventured out into the world where, while working in Manhattan, she met William Gilluly. During the course of their 56 year marriage, Millie left her mark on friends and family from New York to Connecticut and New Jersey and finally Vero Beach. During their over 30 years in New Jersey Millie and Bill raised 4 children, all of whom learned the value of hard work, honesty and above all family. Her children, Susan, Jane, Mary and William Jr. all knew the strength of her love every day. Upon retiring, Millie set out to make her mark on Vero Beach. With the support of her husband she found her niche in the Riverside Arts Center. She picked up a brush and all she saw came to life.

Her friends and family were always grateful for the thoughtful and personal gifts of a memory on canvas. She knew just how to turn her art into love. Millie also spent many years as a volunteer at the Vero Beach public library. This was the perfect venue for her love of reading, community and people. After the death of her beloved husband in 2008, Millie embarked on a new adventure. She found a home and wonderful friends at Pointe West (Brennity), in Vero. There she lived her life to the fullest. She traveled, took classes and made a long list of new friends with whom she shared her love of life and sense of adventure.

Millie’s legacy of love, strength and grace will be shared by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her. She leaves behind her 4 brothers. Her daughter Susan and her husband Michael Zolandz extended her family with their son Michael and his daughters Catherine and Anna, and son Timothy who with his wife Lisa gave her Ryan and Evan. Daughter Mary and her husband Leroy Fawkes enriched her life with daughter Amanda and son Leroy Jr.; William Jr. brought the joy of Allyssa, William lll and Brianna into the fold. And daughter Jane Miller will remember the lesson that it is not who you bring but what you bring to the family that matters.

Although her time with us is over, the ways in which she brought happiness to the lives of others lives on. She joins her great love Bill, and will live forever in peace.

A service honoring and celebrating Millie’s life will take place in the Main Dining Hall at Brennity at 5:00 pm on Sunday February 23, 2014. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice House of Vero Beach, who provided loving care for Bill, (http://www.vnatc.com/foundation/donate-today/)or the Indian River County Public Library, Attn: Tanya Huff, 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960, would be appreciated.