Arlene Enid (Mulhollan) Gillett, age 85, formerly of Colorado Springs, CO, peacefully re-united with her Lord, Jesus Christ, and her beloved husband Chuck, Wednesday, 24 June 2020 at her residence in Idaho Falls, Idaho, encircled by her four children and other family members.
She was born 28 March 1935 in Sykesville, PA, to Harry Albert and Frances Mae (Troutman) Mulhollan and lived in Pennsylvania until her marriage on 4 September 1955 at Reynoldsville, PA to Air Force Airman 1st Class Charles Ackley Gillett of Utah. Arlene loved her life as a military spouse which exposed her to new adventures, cultures, and friendships as she traveled the world with Chuck. They lived in several states as well as the countries of Germany, Italy (her favorite), Japan, and Saudi Arabia. On 15 May 1965, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the religion Chuck was raised in. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple (Utah) for eternity on 15 June 1995. She served in the Relief Society as a secretary, Visiting Teaching Coordinator, supervisor, and teacher; Young Women’s Mia Maid advisor as well as a Primary teacher and activities day leader. Arlene, dubbed Aunt Agnes by one family member, cherished her entire extended family and friends. She was known for her compassion, friendliness, immaculate home, humor, punctuality (if you were five minutes early, you were late), quick wit, ready smile, tenacity (also known as Mulhollan stubborn), and thoughtfulness.
Arlene volunteered with the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts when her children were younger as well as for the Red Cross in Florida and Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs. As a young woman, she earned 50 cents an hour at her first job in Woolworth’s five and dime store and then a little more than that at Brockway Glass Company. Arlene was later employed at the Golf Clubs on Aviano Air Base, Italy and McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington. She worked at the Fountain Wal-Mart on 85/87and later at the Kohl’s on Powers Blvd. However, she believed her finest accomplishment, her greatest legacy was her family and she was lucky enough to stay at home with them. She was always ready and able to provide assistance in whatever form whenever needed to any family member and friend.
Arlene is survived by: her children Debra (Daryl) Taylor of Idaho Falls, ID; Karen (Brad) Trunnell of Lavon, TX; Charles R. (Charilla) Gillett of Stafford, VA; Andrew S. (Sarah) Gillett of Winston-Salem, NC; fourteen grandchildren – Staci (Nick) Miller, Ashley (Sam) Miller, Morgan (Joseph) Killian, Noah (Kylie) Trunnell, Adam (Ashley) Trunnell, Lincoln (Jo) Trunnell, Michael (April) Gillett, Jared Gillett, T’mara (David) Zeally, Kira Gillett, Graham Gillett, Emma Gillett, Grady Gillett, Andrew E. Gillett; twenty-one great grandchildren with two soon to be born; sisters, Delores (Don) Heitzenrater of Punxsutawney, PA; Donna Pearce of Pueblo, CO; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends scattered across the globe.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Brian Lee Taylor; her sisters (and brothers-in-love), Harriet Alberta (Fred) Verbeke, Ella Mae (Ray) Brochey; her brothers (and sisters-in-love), Harry Albert “Hank” (Betty & Anne) Mulhollan; James Dale Mulhollan; John Edward (Pat) Mulhollan; step-mother, Martha Mulhollan; Sisters-in-love, Iris (Dick) Hales, Catherine Harmston, Beverly (Bob) Andersen; brothers-in-love, Keith (Retha) Gillett and Don Gillett.
Due to COVID-19, funeral service seating in the Chapel on the 16 July is restricted to 99 people. Masks are required and social distancing practiced. Please try to arrive between 9:30-9:45 to be escorted to your seats.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice, Special Olympics, or the American Cancer Society. These charities were dear to Arlene.
Visitation, Wednesday, July 15, 2020 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Dove-Witt Family Mortuary 6630 S. US Hwy 85-87, Fountain, CO. 80817. Funeral Service Thursday, July 16, 2020 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints 1310 Aeroplaza Dr. Colorado Springs, CO. 80916
