Gillette, Lynne

Friend. Mentor. Entrepreneur. Mother. Sister. Aunt. Nana. Realtor. Trailblazer. Survivor. Optimist. Fierce advocate for social justice. Lynne (Farley) Gillette, 79, of Windsor passed away on March 18, 2021. She was born in Syracuse, New York on September 19, 1941; daughter of the late Elizabeth “Betty” (Bambrick) and Byrl Melvin Farley. Lynne wore many hats – literally and figuratively. She embraced life with an open heart, love of people, faith, and generosity.

In 1976, Lynne began Gillette Real Estate in Windsor, winning numerous prestigious professional awards throughout her 45 years in business.Through her business she worked for fair housing, championed women, made lifelong friends and gave generously to her community. Lynne was an outspoken advocate for women's rights, people of color and the LGBT community. She served on the boards of the Association of Entrepreneurial Women, Hartford's YWCA, and Chariots of Hope. Recently the Windsor Human Relations Commission recognized her as a “Phenomenal Woman of Windsor.” She chose and embraced hospice; her final weeks at home were full of love and light, humor, faith and grace. Lynne will be remembered for her remarkable energy, flair for fashion, perseverance, great sense of humor and spirited laughter.

Lynne is survived by her daughter, Dana Gillette and her wife Camille Gagliardi of Northampton, MA, stepchildren Jeffrey Hill (Carole) and Cindy Hill, sister Kathy Richardson (Edward), beloved cousins, nieces and nephew, grandchildren and countless friends. She was predeceased by her husband George Hill and her daughter, Allyson Gillette.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Lynne's life will be held, Saturday July 24 at 9:30 AM at the First Church in Windsor. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Lynne Farley Gillette Social Justice Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (hfpg.org/ GilletteSocialJusticeFund) 10 Columbus Blvd, 8th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106. To leave online condolences: www. carmonfuneralhome.com.