Therese Grace Gill
June 9, 1928 Oct. 14, 2016 Therese Grace Gill, 88, of Southwest City, Mo., died Friday, Oct. 14, 2016. She was born on June 9, 1928, in North Wales, Pa., to the late Peter and Helen Van Kleef.
She resided in California for 72 years and had moved to Southwest City to live with her daughter. Growing up in North Wales, she lived on a farm where her father raised livestock and worked for the railroad. Her mother took in laundry. The six children worked early on to help keep the family afloat. As a youth, she worked for a truck farmer, selling fruits and vegetables from a horse drawn wagon. After her father died, she and her mother took the train to California, where three of her siblings had moved.
She married James Albert Gill on Aug. 9, 1946, in Southern California, and to this union four children were born. They moved to Northern California 10 years later to a small farm in Shasta County. Being a true country gal, she populated the farm with horses, cows, hogs, chickens, goats, sheep, dogs and cats. She loved going to the livestock auction and buying newborn calves to bottle feed.
In the ’70s, she and Jim moved to a ranch in Tehama County, Calif., raising cattle, sheep and hogs on a larger scale. Raising cattle became her greatest passion, which lasted until her death. For 15 years, they raised their oldest granddaughter, driving her to many horse shows - even to Oklahoma City for the National Appaloosa Show.
After moving to Southwest City, she enjoyed drives in the country, seeing green pastures full of cattle and hay. Checking cows with her granddaughter during the calving season was a big treat. She appreciated the beauty of McDonald County and the friendliness of the people here, making many new friends in a short time. She attended First Baptist Church in Southwest City and especially liked AWANA night and visiting with the children. She loved her family and friends and being with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, James Gill, on Jan. 2, 1998; her infant daughter, Stephanie Ann in 1947; and five siblings, Anne, Mary, Helen, John and Pete.
She is survived by her children, Cynthia Ross of Southwest City, Jerry Gill of Kingman, Ariz., and Annette Pochop of Anderson, Calif.; grandchildren, Tisha Lewellen of Anderson, Calif., Joel Cimarron of Athens, Ga., Jessie Lindquist of Southwest City, and Tyler Pochop of Anderson; great-grandchildren, Gracie Lewellen, T.J. Lewellen, Lively Cimarron, and Sydney Lindquist; sister-in-law, Jean Gill of Newport Beach, Calif.; her beloved canine companion, Chi Chi; and many other family members and friends.
She has been taken for cremation, and no immediate services are planned.
Arrangements are by Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Mo.