Cleta Gillis
North Stonington — Cleta (Parker) Gillis, 77, of North Stonington, beloved wife of Robert S. “Bob” Gillis, died suddenly Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. Born at University of Alabama Hospital in Northport, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Wiley and Easter (Hannah) Parker.
She attended the University of Alabama, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, and graduated from the University of Connecticut, where she earned her master’s degree in education. She was a lifelong Alabama football fan –– “Roll Tide!” Cleta taught elementary school in the Stonington school district for 27 years: in the Broadway School, Old Mystic Elementary School and Deans Mill Elementary. She retired in June 1999. She was a member of ADK (Alpha Delta Kappa) teaching association and enjoyed mentoring younger teachers throughout her career.
Cleta attended Sunday services at the Second and Third Baptist Churches in North Stonington, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Groton and the United Church of Stonington. She also enjoyed volunteering her time at the Stonington Como Thrift Shop. Her family and friends will remember her passion for learning and her many acts of generosity, especially to the medical professionals who cared for her and Bob during their illnesses.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two daughters, Lianne E. Rutty (Michael) of Chester, and Pamela M. Aparo and her companion Brent Arasimowicz of Billerica, Mass.; two stepsons, Daniel E. Gillis of Rosedale, Md. and Matthew S. Gillis (Kristy) of Hanson, Mass.; a sister, Doris Howell; her brother Raymond “Tad” Parker (Helen) all of Northport, Ala.; four grandchildren: James and Samuel Rutty and Hudson and Haley Gillis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1, in Mystic. Her family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 a.m., one hour prior to the service Friday, at the funeral home. Following the service, she will be buried at Stonington Cemetery.